Plans for The London Resort have been accepted for examination by the Planning Inspectorate.
In what is a significant milestone for the project, the plans for the proposed multi billion pound development will now be examined in detail by a range of parties. Interested parties will now have until 31st March to submit their representations to the Planning Inspectorate.
Once the representations from interested parties have been received, the Inspectorate will then have six months to complete the examination stage. The process that will begin with a preliminary meeting, which will be run by the inspectors appointed to examine the application on behalf of the Planning Inspectorate - known as the Examining Authority. Following this, the Examining Authority will seek further input through both public hearings, and written submissions.
Once this process is completed, the Examining Authority will then make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government who will make the decision on whether or not the project can go ahead. The Examining Authority must prepare their report and make their recommendation within three months from completion of the examination stage. Once the decision is issued, the final stage is a six week period during which the decision may be challenged in the High Court - if no such challenge is made then the decision is final.
Based on the current known information, below is an approximate timeline for the next key steps in the planning process (dates may be subject to change based on developments during the process):
31st March 2021 - Deadline for registration of interested parties.
1st April 2021 - Examination stage begins.
30th September 2021 - Examination stage concludes.
31st December 2021 - Deadline for the Examining Authority to make their recommendation to the Secretary of State.
11th February 2022 (approx) - Deadline for any High Court challenge of the Secretary of State's decision.