A TIMETABLE has been set for the Cheshire East Local Plan Examination that takes into account the forthcoming local and national elections. 


The council now has until the end of July to submit additional evidence and the timetable allows the council to hold engagement sessions after the elections. 


Staging these during the pre-election period is problematic because of the restrictions that apply to public bodies, with local authorities being barred from organising meetings at which candidates may make political statements. 


A letter from the planning inspectorate said the inspector leading the examination ‘fully understands the difficulties that the council may have in convening engagement meetings with neighbouring authorities during the forthcoming election period.’ 


Caroline Simpson, executive director of economic growth and prosperity, said: “We welcome the agreed timetable because it avoids conflict with the busy election period.


“We look forward to submitting our revised evidence base in July and resuming the examination at the end of the summer.”