Part 9Changes to existing planning regimes

Chapter 2Other changes to existing planning regimes

Validity of strategies, plans and documents

185Power of High Court to remit strategies, plans and documents

In section 113 of PCPA 2004 (validity of strategies, plans and documents) for subsection (7) substitute—

7

The High Court may—

a

quash the relevant document;

b

remit the relevant document to a person or body with a function relating to its preparation, publication, adoption or approval.

7A

If the High Court remits the relevant document under subsection (7)(b) it may give directions as to the action to be taken in relation to the document.

7B

Directions under subsection (7A) may in particular—

a

require the relevant document to be treated (generally or for specified purposes) as not having been approved or adopted;

b

require specified steps in the process that has resulted in the approval or adoption of the relevant document to be treated (generally or for specified purposes) as having been taken or as not having been taken;

c

require action to be taken by a person or body with a function relating to the preparation, publication, adoption or approval of the document (whether or not the person or body to which the document is remitted);

d

require action to be taken by one person or body to depend on what action has been taken by another person or body.

7C

The High Court’s powers under subsections (7) and (7A) are exercisable in relation to the relevant document—

a

wholly or in part;

b

generally or as it affects the property of the applicant.

186Power of High Court to remit unitary development plans in Wales

1

Subsection (2) applies in relation to section 287 of TCPA 1990 (proceedings for questioning validity of development plans etc.), as that section continues to have effect by virtue of paragraph (3) of article 3 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (Commencement No. 6, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2847) for the purposes of the transitional arrangements mentioned in that paragraph.

2

In that section, after subsection (3) insert—

3A

Subsections (3B) to (3E) apply if—

a

an application is made under this section in relation to a unitary development plan, and

b

on the application the High Court is satisfied as mentioned in subsection (2)(b).

3B

The High Court may remit the plan to a person or body with a function relating to its preparation, publication, adoption or approval.

3C

If the High Court remits the plan under subsection (3B) it may give directions as to the action to be taken in relation to the plan.

3D

Directions under subsection (3B) may in particular—

a

require the plan to be treated (generally or for specified purposes) as not having been approved or adopted;

b

require specified steps in the process that has resulted in the approval or adoption of the plan to be treated (generally or for specified purposes) as having been taken or as not having been taken;

c

require action to be taken by a person or body with a function relating to the preparation, publication, adoption or approval of the plan (whether or not the person or body to which it is remitted);

d

require action to be taken by one person or body to depend on what action has been taken by another person or body.

3E

The High Court’s powers under subsections (3B) and (3C) are exercisable in relation to the plan—

a

wholly or in part;

b

generally or as it affects the property of the applicant.