The Examination Library shows all of the documents associated with the Copeland Local Plan 2021-2038 Examination.
It begins with the submitted Local Plan (the Publication Draft and Addendum) and all associated assessments and evidence base that were used to inform their production. Published alongside this are the responses to the public consultation on the documents and the Council’s proposed modifications following this.
The page will then be updated during the Examination to include questions from the Inspector and associated responses from the Council and others, details of the public Hearing sessions, and further documents that are produced during the Examination to enable the Inspector to determine whether the Local Plan is sound.
Latest News
For the latest news and updates as the Local Plan progresses through the Examination process.
Hearings Information
Public Examination hearings for the Local Plan ran for 4 weeks and concluded on Thursday 9th March 2023. The Matters covered in each session may be viewed in document INS03c The Insepctor's Hearings Programme along with a list of participants who took part in each session.
You may also wish to view document CBC25 a list of action points which have arisen during the hearing sessions. Responses to these action points will be linked to this list as they are completed by the Council and become available.
Next steps: The Inspector will shortly send a Post Hearing Letter to the Council, outlining the way forward. Again, this letter will be added to the Examination Library as soon as it becomes available.
Planning Inspectorate Guidance for Participants
Accessible Documents
Examination documents can be provided in OpenDocument Text or another format if required. Anyone requiring such documents should contact the Programme Officer with their request. Email: programmeofficer@copeland.gov.uk tel: 07799 724690
Main Modification Consulations and Responses
- Main Modifications Consultation
- RF26 - Main Modification Responses
- RF27 - United Utilities response addendum letter from EA
Inspectors Documents
- INS01 - Inspectors Note - Initial questions to the Council (PDF)
- INS02 - Examination Guidance Notes
- INS03 - Draft Hearings Programme
- INS03a - Draft Hearings Timetable Copeland v5 with participants
- INS03b - Draft Hearings Timetable Copeland v6 with participants
- INS03c - Draft Hearings Timetable Copeland v8 with participants
- INS04 - Inspectors Matters Issues and Questions
- INS05 - Note to Council From Inspector Smith v SSLUHC 2022 EWCA Civ 1391
- INS06 - Copeland Local Plan Inspectors Post Hearing Letter_09 June 2023
- INS07 - Copeland Post Hearing Procedural Note - Inspector to the Council
- INS08 - Copeland Local Plan Inspectors Final Report
- INS08a - Copeland Local Plan - Appendix 1 Main Modifications
- INS08b - Copeland Local Plan – Appendix 2 Main Modifications
Council Documents
- CBC01 - Councils Response to INS01 Inspector's Initial Questions
- CBC02 - Council's Response to INS05 Question re Traveller Needs
- CBC03 - Amendments Additions to Representations November 2022
Modified Documents
- CBC04 - Local Plan Appendix A (replacement) - Superseded Policies
- CBC05 - Local Plan Appendix B (modified) - Settlement Maps
- CBC06 - Local Plan Appendix C (modified) - Opportunity Sites
- CBC07 - Local Plan Appendix D (modified) - Suitable Area for wind energy
- CBC08 - Local Plan Appendix E (modified) - Housing Trajectory
- CBC09 - Local Plan Appendix F (modified) - Housing Allocation Profiles
- CBC10 - Local Plan Appendix G (modified) - Nature designations
- CBC11 - Local Plan Appendix H (new) - HRA Requirements for Allocated Sites
Technical Papers
Topic Papers
Council Documents Continued.
- CBC14 Council Opening Statement
- CBC15 Ground Investigation Report - for G & T Site GTW5 Overend Quarry (1988)
- CBC16 Note Summergrove Village
- CBC17 Designated Rural Areas
- CBC18 Rheda Park Planning Update
- CBC19 Suggested Minor Modification to Paragraph 11.9.3
- CBC20 Housing Trajectory - Allocations
- CBC21 Natural England Response re Planning Application and HRA Issues
- CBC22 RSPB Response to Planning Application
- CBC23 Housing Trajectory 26.2.23 Update v3
- CBC24 Matter 15 Action Point 59 v3 Updated Housing Trajectory
- CBC25 Examination Hearing Action Point List
- CBC25a - Update Action Points List
- CBC25b - Final List of Action Points
- CBC26 - 5 Year Housing Land Supply Statement February 2023
- CBC27 Council response to M15 AP87 confirm sites in Heritage Impact Assessment
- CBC28 - Site assessment information for sites at Laurel Bank and Red Lonning Playing Fields and providing supporting information for the Matter 10 hearing session for Natural Environment
- CBC28a – Open Space Assessment Database showing all sites for Site Visit Assessment
- CBC29 - Matter 7 Action 28
- CBC30 - Action 116 117 Matter 10
- CBC31 Matter 5 Action Point 15_Densities
- CBC32 Matter 5 Action Point 20 Whitehaven Rural Sub Area
- CBC33 Matter 15 Action 62_Biodiversity Network Enhancement Zone
- CBC34 Matter 4 Action Point 11 Note re discounting the use of the Standard Housing Need figure
- CBC35 Matter 15 Action Point 89 - 4-22-2237-0O1 - Planning Panel Report - 15 February 2023
- CBC35a Matter 15 Action Point 89 Summergrove Site Edged Red Plan
- CBC36 Matter 5, Action Point 17 - Affordable Housing Completions under S106
- CBC37 - Matter 15, Action 47
- CBC38 Matter 4 Action Point 13_Policy H3 Housing Delivery
- CBC39 - Matter 15, Action 48
- CBC40 - Matter 15 Action 72 - Heritage Consideration of Developable Area
- CBC41 - Matter 16 Action 148 Marchon Surface Water Flood Map
- CBC42 - Matter 3 Action 5 – Water Consumption
- CBC43 - Matter 5 Action Point 18_ total additional affordable dwellings figures questioned by HBF_ CH
- CBC44 - Matter 15 Action Point 68_ Map of Combined Sewer in relation to housing allocation HDI1
- CBC45 Matter 5 Action 19 greatest headroom for the provision of affordable housing
- CBC46 Matter 15 AP52 Updated Proposals Map South showing amended Green Wedge boundary
- CBC47 Matter 4 Action 10
- CBC48 Matter 6 Action 24
- CBC49 Matter 6 Action 25
- CBC50 Matter 6 Action 26
- CBC51 Matter 15 Action 71 St Bees memorial and bridge
- CBC52 Action 115 Matter 10
- CBC53 Action 118 Matter 10
- CBC54 Action 119 Matter 10
- CBC55 Action 120 Matter 10
- CBC56 Action 121 Matter 10
- CBC57 Action 122 Matter 10
- CBC58 Action 123 Matter 10
- CBC59 Action 124 Matter 10
- CBC60 Action 137 - Matter 14
- CBC61 Action 163 - Matter 19
- CBC62 Action 138 - Matter 14
Other Documents
- OTH 01 Letter to Programme Officer from Homes England re: Planning Application Appeal
- OTH 02 Homes England Statement of Case
- OTH 03 Homes England Draft Statement of Common Ground
- OTH04 Advice Note from Natural England in response to Persimmon Homes Hearing statements re St Bees
- OTH05 Appeal Decision - Land at Harra Moor, Whitehaven 18 August 2023
Examination Hearing Statements
For the Examination Hearing Statements in responses to the Inspectors Matters issues and Questions
Examination Hearing Agenda's
- HA 01 Matter 1 Hearing Agenda Tuesday 31st January at 9.30am
- HA 02 Matter 2 Hearing Agenda Tuesday 31st January at 9.30am
- HA 03 Matter 3 Hearing Agenda Tuesday 31st January at 2pm
- HA 04 Matter 4 Hearing Agenda _Wednesday 1st February all day
- HA 05 Matter 5 Hearing Agenda _Thursday 2nd February_9.30am
- HA 06 Matter 6 Hearing Agenda _Thursday 2nd February_2pm
- HA 07 Matter 7 Hearing Agenda Tuesday 7th February 9.30am
- HA 08 Matter 8 Hearing Agenda Tuesday 7th February 2pm
- HA 09 Matter 9 Hearing Agenda Rural Economy and Tourism
- HA 10 Matter 10 Hearing Agenda Natural Environment
- HA 11 Matter 11 Hearing Agenda Built Environment
- HA 12 Matter 12 Hearing Agenda - Health Sport Culture - Tues 7th Mar - 2pm
- HA 13 Matter 13 Hearing Agenda Connectivity
- HA 14 Matter 14 Hearing Agenda - Development Standards - Tues 7th Mar - 9.30am
- HA 15 Matter 15 Hearing Agenda Housing Allocations Main Towns - Wednesday 8 February - 9.30am
- HA 15.1 Matter 15 Hearing Agenda Housing Allocations Wednesday 8 February - 2pm
- HA 15.2 Matter 15 Hearing Agenda Housing Allocations continued - Thursday 16 February All day
- HA 16 Matter 16 Hearing Agenda Employment Site Allocations Thursday 9th February 9.30am - all day
- HA 17 Matter 17 Agenda Housing Land Supply Thurs 2nd March 9.30am
- HA 18 Matter 18 Hearing Agenda Housing Development Policies
- HA19 Matter19 Hearing Agenda Implementation and Viability Weds 8th Mar - 9.30am
- HA 20 Matter 20 Monitoring & Closing Session Hearing Agenda Wednesday 8th March 2pm
- HA 20.1 UPDATED Matter 20 Monitoring & Closing Session Hearing Agenda Wednesday 8th March 2pm
Submission Documents
- CD1 Local Plan Publication Draft – January 2022.
- CD2 Local Plan Publication Draft Appendices – January 2022
- CD3a Proposals Maps (North Copeland) – January 2022
- CD3b Proposals Maps (South Copeland) – January 2022
- CD4 Sustainability Appraisal Integrated Assessment Report – December 2021
- CD5 Habitats Regulations Assessment – January 2022
- CD6 Marine Conservation Zone Assessment – February 2022
- CD7 Copeland Local Plan 2021-2038 Addendum Document – July 2022
- CD8 Sustainability Appraisal Integrated Assessment for Addendum – July 2022
- CD9 Habitats Regulations Assessment Policy H9 – July 2022
- CD10 Habitats Regulations Assessment Policy N5 – July 2022
Unacceptable responses
We have a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviour.
We strive to be as transparent as possible with regards to all our consultations, and therefore have published all Copeland Local Plan 2021 – 2038 responses below.
Please note that any abusive comments have been redacted before publication on our website.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please email Localplanconsultation@copeland.gov.uk.
Response Forms - Publication Draft
- RF1 - Landowners, Agents and Developers Part 1
- RF2 - Landowners, Agents and Developers Part 2
- RF3 - Members of the Public Part 1
- RF4 - Members of the Public Part 2
- RF5 - Other Councils
- RF6 - Public Bodies Part 1
- RF7 - Public Bodies Part 2
- RF8 - Late Reponses
- RF24 - Microsoft Forms Responses
Response Forms - Reg 19 Consultation 2 (Potential G&T Sites)
- RF9 - GT Other Councils
- RF10 - GT Public Bodies
- RF11 - Public General
- RF12 - GTW3 Part 1
- RF13 - GTW3 Part 2
- RF14 - GTW3 Part 3
- RF15 - GTW5 Part 1
- RF16 - GTW5 Part 2
- RF17 - GTW5 Part 3
- RF18 - GTW5 Part 4
Late Responses
Response Forms - Addendum Responses
- RF19 - Public Bodies
- RF20 - Cumbria County Council Response
- RF21 - Home Builders Federation Response
- RF22 - Members of the Public Part 1
- RF22a - Members of the Public Part 2
- RF23 - Anonymous Microsoft Form Responses
Core Documents
- CD11 - Equalities Impact Assessment
- CD13 - Local Plan Consultation Statement
- CD13a - Focused Pre-Publication Draft Changes Consultation Response Report – January 22
- CD13b - Preferred Options Draft Consultation Response Report – January 2022
- CD13c - Copeland Local Plan 2021-2038 Issues and Options Consultation Response Report
- CD14 - Suggested Main Modifications to the Plan
- CD15 - Suggested Minor Modifications to the Plan
- CD15 - Erratum_Pages_16_and_28
- CD16 - Suggested Main Modifications to the appendices doc
- CD17 - Suggested Minor Modifications to the appendices doc
- CD17 - Erratum Page 5
- CD18 - Full Integrated Assessment (Incorporating SA, SEA and HIA) for Publication Draft
- CD19 - Habitats Regulations Assessment for Publication Draft and Addendum– September 2022
- CD19a - Habitats Regulations Assessment Sept 22 Appendix 2 - Air Quality Assessment.
- CD20 - Natural England latest response to HRA - August 2022
- CD21 - Local Development Scheme 2022
- CD22 - Statement of Community Involvement 2020
- CD23 - Submission Statement - September 2022
Duty to Co-operate
- DTC1 - Duty to Cooperate Statement - September 2022 (Redacted)
- DTC2 - Statement of Common Ground - Allerdale BC (Redacted)
- DTC3 - Statement of Common Ground - Barrow BC (Redacted)
- DTC4 - Statement of Common Ground - South Lakeland DC (Redacted)
- DTC5 - Statement of Common Ground - Cumbria CC (Redacted)
- DTC6 - Statement of Common Ground - LDNPA (Redacted)
- DTC7 - Statement of Common Ground - Historic England (Redacted)
- DTC8 - Statement of Common Ground - National Highways (Redacted)
- DTC9 - Statement of Common Ground - Friends of the Lake District (Redacted)
- DTC10 - Statement of Common Ground - Sport England (Redacted)
- DTC11 - Statement of Common Ground - Natural England (Redacted)
- DTC12 - Statement of Common Ground - Sellafield Ltd
- DTC13 - Updated Statement of Common Ground Sports England
- DTC14 Updated Statement of Common Ground Sellafield
- DTC15 - United Utilities Statement of Common Ground
Evidence Base
Strategy
- EB1 Settlement Hierarchy and Development Strategy Paper
- EB2 Village Services Survey
- EB3 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment 2021
- EB3a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment 2021 - Appendix A
- EB3b Strategic Flood Risk Assessment 2021 - Appendix D Functional Floodplain
- EB3c Strategic Flood Risk Assessment 2021 - Appendix E
- EB3d Strategic Flood Risk Assessment 2021 - Appendix G User Guide
Housing
- EB4 Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) 2019
- EB5 Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) Update 2021
- EB6 Housing Needs Assessment 2020
- EB7 Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) Jan 2022
- EB8 Discounted sites document 2022
- EB9 5 Year Housing Land supply
- EB10 Cumbria Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) 2022
- EB11 Gypsy and Traveller Site Assessments – January 2022
- EB12 Copeland Local Plan Site Access Assessments May 2022 Addendum Note
- EB13 Sites GTW3 and GTW5 Whitehaven, Landscape and Visual Appraisal – July 2022
- EB14 Sites GTW3 and GTW5 Whitehaven, Landscape and Visual Appraisal Plan - July 22
Economic development and viability
- EB15 Economic Development Needs Assessment (EDNA) 2021
- EB16 Employment Land Availability Study (ELAS
- EB17 West Cumbria Retail, Town Centres and Leisure Study
- EB18 Copeland Retail and Leisure Study Update 2021
- EB19 Stage One Viability Study 2018
- EB20 Stage Two Viability Study Feb 2022
- EB44 Stage 2 Local Plan Viability Assessment Oct 22
- EB45 Viability Assessment Final Addendum Report Oct 22
- EB46 Viability Assessment Final Appendices Oct 22
Infrastructure
- EB21 Infrastructure Delivery Plan Stage 1 2020
- EB22 Infrastructure Delivery Plan Stage - Jan 2022
- EB23 Transport Improvement Study 2021
- EB23a Transport Improvement Study Appendices 21
- EB23b Transport Improvement Study Scheme Proformas
- EB24 Site Access Assessment 2021
Built and natural environment
- EB26 Copeland Indoor Facilities Study
- EB27 Heritage Impact Assessment Report Final - Jan 2022
- EB28 Copeland Open Space Assessment 2020
- EB29 Copeland Open Space Assessment Addendum 2022
- EB30 Local Greenspace Document - September 2020
- EB31 Copeland Local Greenspace Document update January 2022
- EB32 Copeland Playing Pitch Strategy - Needs Assessment
- EB33 Copeland Playing Pitch Strategy - Strategy and Action Plan
- EB34 Landscape character assessment 2021
- EB35-EB37 Settlement Landscape Character Assessment
- EB38 Final Wind Energy Technical Document 2022
Procedural Documents
- PD01 - Copeland Local Development Scheme – November 2019
- PD02 - Copeland Local Development Scheme – September 2020
- PD03 - Copeland Local Development Scheme – December 2021
Previous Local Plan Stages
- PLP01 - Issue and Options Consultation Document
- PLP01a - Issues and Options Consultation Appendices
- PLP02 - Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report
- PLP03 - Habitats Regulations Evidence Gathering Report
- PLP04 - Copeland Local Plan 2017-2035: Preferred Options Draft Report
- PLP05 - Copeland Local Plan 2017-2035: Preferred Options Appendices
- PLP06 - Copeland Local Plan 2017-2035 Preferred Options Appendices Addendum Document
- PLP07 - Integrated Assessment Report
- PLP08 - Integrated Assessment Scoping Report
- PLP09 - Habitats Regulations Assessment 2020
Updated Documents
- EB39 Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment Sept 2022
- EB40 Discounted sites document – May 2022
- EB41 5 Year Housing Land Supply – September 2022
- EB42 Heritage Impact Assessment – September 2022
- EB43 Infrastructure Delivery Plan Stage 2 Update – September 2022
- EB47 - Copeland Playing Pitch Strategy Assessment
- EB48 - Matter 15, AP76 Heritage Impact Assessment Report