Planning Inspectorate Responds to IOC Concnerns

The Planning Inspectorate, which is conducting the Inquiry into Centros' plans for Lancaster's Canal Corridor that starts on 16th June, has responded to concerns about what campaign group Its Our City described as reduced time to present their case (see news story), saying it will consider extending their presentation period if needed.

"The Planning Inspectorate consider that it is important that all parties have the appropriate amount of time to present their case to an inquiry, including this one," Mark Southgate, the Inspectorate's Director of Casework told virtual-lancaster. "The inquiry will be conducted in a fair, open and impartial way to enable the full participation of all groups.

"In the case of "Its Our City" the time allocated to them to present their evidence is one and a half days, which was the amount of time that they requested at the pre-inquiry meeting held in April. Consequently, we do not consider there has been any reduction in the time allocated to
"Its Our City".

"Should they now consider that this is inadequate time to present their case then the Inspector would be willing to consider providing some more time on the final Thursday, within the proposed timetable of the inquiry, should this prove necessary".