Section 15I Joint local plans by agreement or directionF1

A joint local plan is a local plan prepared jointly by two or more local planning authorities for their combined areas.

Two or more local planning authorities may agree to prepare a joint local plan (a “joint local plan agreement”).

The Secretary of State may direct two or more local planning authorities to prepare a joint local plan (a “joint local plan direction”).

The Secretary of State may give a joint local plan direction to a local planning authority whether or not the authority’s local plan timetable specifies that their local plan for their area is to be a joint local plan.

The Secretary of State may give a joint local plan direction only if the Secretary of State considers that to do so will facilitate the more effective planning of the development and use of land in the area of one or more of the local planning authorities in question.

A joint local plan direction may specify the timetable for preparation of the joint local plan.

The Secretary of State must, when giving a joint local plan direction, notify the local planning authorities to which it applies of the reasons for giving it.

If the Secretary of State gives a joint local plan direction, the Secretary of State may direct the local planning authorities to which it is given to amend their local plan timetables to take account of the direction.

The Secretary of State may modify or withdraw a joint local plan direction by notice in writing to the authorities to which it was given.

The Secretary of State must, when modifying or withdrawing a joint local plan direction, notify the local planning authorities to which it was given of the reasons for the modification or withdrawal.