INDEPENDENT planning inspectors tasked with examining St Helens' Local Plan have announced a series of public hearing sessions.

The public sessions are part of the plan's examination process, in which interested parties – including residents – may be invited to take part.

The Local Plan - which has caused considerable debate - was submitted at the end of October 2020, along with approximately 2,000 representations to the most recent consultation.

In a statement, St Helens Borough Council said the discussion at the hearings "will contribute to the planning inspectors’ considerations of the Local Plan, including whether any modifications need to be made to ensure that it meets the ‘tests of soundness’".

The statement added: "Only those who have made comments – known as representations – on the Local Plan at the Submission Draft stage, and expressed an interest in actively participating in the public hearing sessions may be invited to take part, at the discretion of the Planning Inspectorate.

"The hearings will be conducted virtually via Microsoft Teams, and can be viewed live via www.sthelens.gov.uk/localplanexamination."

When are the public hearing sessions?

The public hearing sessions are scheduled to start on Tuesday, May 25 and end on Tuesday, June 22.

What will happen after the take place?

According to the council, if following the hearings modifications are required, a schedule of the proposed modifications will be prepared and subject to further public consultation.

The inspectors would then consider the representations received at this stage before issuing their final report on the plan.

Publication of the inspectors’ report on the Local Plan will formally close the examination stage of the process.

The council will only be able to adopt the plan if it is found to be legally compliant and sound by the planning inspectors as set out in their final report.

Further information and to follow the examination process

For more information and to follow the examination process, visit www.sthelens.gov.uk/localplanexamination.

All documents related to the Local Plan examination process are available on the Examination Library webpage.

Residents without internet access who wish to view any of these can contact the Programme Officer for the Examination, Kerry Trueman via email KerryTrueman@sthelens.gov.uk, telephone 07582 310364 or by post to PO Box 229, PRENTON, CH26 9EY.

Residents can view the easy to read, full colour executive summary of the plan, setting out its scope and vision online at www.sthelens.gov.uk/localplan.