Until today the SoS was faced with the unwelcome task of doing local plans him or herself where they dont meet next Aprils deadline

But a new clause is proposed in the Neighbourhood Planning Bill gives default powers to County Councils if they so wish.

There is also a clause for the SoS to order joint plans.

An intriguing clause provides for the SoS to set ‘data standards’ for LDSs and LDDs.

What might these be – limits on pages perhaps?  Word limits?  Possibly numbers for housing overspill from major conurbations maybe.

These cover most of the recommendations of the Local Plan Experts Group.