If you are selected to provide written statements (this isn’t compulsory) or speak at the independent hearing, it is essential that you understand the process and have a set of points that are related to the documents / references / sections in the Examination Library
It is important you familiarise yourself with the arguments from other speakers by reading their representations (will at some point be available in the examination library).
We will have to work together to ensure that we make our concerns known to the Inspector. Duplication will waste time and can result in missed opportunity to highlight an unsound policy. Continuous checks for new uploads is essential. Remember, this is about the Local Plan which covers the whole of South Tyneside and not just SP 8 Fellgate. Beware that others may be in favour of building on the Green Belt.
The Inspector will assume you are aware of the arguments from other speakers at the hearing session. We need someone to be the liaisons between the group and the Programme Officer (PO), asking for documents that the Inspectors and others will see; these should be uploaded to the library.
The inspectors has clear guidelines on what is and is not relevant to the examination. When objectors give less concise speeches with many irrelevant points, the Inspector can, will intervene and stop your input..
In most cases, we will introduce yourself as a non-professional, and the Inspector and other participants will not expect you to know everything they do. A focussed presentation backed by intimate local knowledge really adds to Inspectors understanding of the unresolved issues!
There will be time limits when speaking at a local plan examination. The Inspector will determine the timeframe for each session, and participants are typically given a set amount of time to make their points. The inspector will also ensure that everyone has a fair opportunity to contribute, even those unfamiliar with the process. In general participants are usually given a few minutes to present their views on each issue.