# In England a local plan must be examined by a person appointed by the Secretary of State, and anyone who objects can ask to be heard in person

Page: https://flyvolo.ai/en/changes/ev-20260325-urban-planner-10
Date: 2026-03-25 · Stage: Constraint
Can this record move a task judgement? yes
Occupation: https://flyvolo.ai/en/careers/urban-planner

## Scope

England. The section says a local plan must be submitted for independent examination, that the examination must be carried out by a person appointed by the Secretary of State, and that any person who makes representations about the plan must, if they ask, be given the opportunity to appear before and be heard by the examiner. In force from 25 March 2026 under the new plan-making system. It governs how a plan is tested, not who drafts it, and says nothing about AI.

## Source

- legislation.gov.uk — Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, section 15D, Independent examination: local plans (substituted by the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, Sch. 7; in force 25 March 2026 by S.I. 2026/169) — https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/5/section/15D (primary source)

## What this means

In England, a plan becomes policy only after a named person examines it and hears the people who object.

## What it does not show yet

It governs examination, not drafting, and is silent on tools.

## How to verify it yourself

Open section 15D of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and find "The examination must be carried out by a person appointed by the Secretary of State".


More: https://flyvolo.ai/llms.txt