Regulation 24 - Independent Examination and Proposed Modifications
The Hampshire Authorities submitted the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan – Partial Update (the Plan) for independent examination, under Regulation 22 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended), in July 2024.
Prior to this, several information gathering exercises and a public consultation were completed to inform the Plan, under Regulation 18 (of the Local Planning (England) Regulations 2012) between 2021 and 2023.
The Proposed Submission Plan was consulted on for eight weeks, beginning on 9 January 2024 and ending 5 March 2024, under Regulation 19 (of the Local Planning (England) Regulations 2012). The Proposed Submission Plan, the evidence base and all representations received were then submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination.
Examination hearings for the submitted Plan took place between 4 and 13 February 2025. A number of Action Points were agreed between the Planning Inspector and the Hampshire Authorities including further technical assessment of the Purple Haze proposed allocation.
An additional hearing was held on 9 September 2025 regarding the Purple Haze proposed allocation.
Following these hearings, Proposed Main Modifications to the Submission Plan were published. The Main Modifications were considered necessary to ensure that the Plan is legally compliant and/or sound. A Sustainability Appraisal (incorporating Strategic Environmental Assessment) (SA/SEA) and Habitats Regulation Assessment were undertaken on the Proposed Main Modifications.
The Proposed Main Modifications and Policies Map Changes were subject to consultation between 9am 4 December 2025 and 11:59pm 12 February 2026. The Authorities also published a schedule of Additional Modifications, for information only.
The Proposed Main Modification Schedule can be found below and within the Examination Library, as document MD05. A modified Plan document was also prepared to show the modifications in context.
The Proposed Modified Policies Map can be found below, and the Schedule of Proposed Policies Map Modifications is available within the Examination Library, as document MD07.
The Additional Modification Schedule (MD06), Sustainability Appraisal (MD10) and Habitats Regulation Assessment (MD11) are provided in the Examination Library for information.
Key documentation
Notice of Main Modifications Public Consultation
Schedule of Proposed Main Modifications
Proposed Modified Plan Document
Proposed Modified Policies Map
Examination Library
The Plan and all other relevant documents have been compiled into an Examination Library:
Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan - Partial Update - Examination Library
Please refer to the relevant Authority websites regarding availability of hard copies at libraries and/or Authority offices.
The Inspector
The Secretary of State, in accordance with section 20(4) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, appointed L Fleming BSc (Hons) MRTPI to hold an independent examination of the updated Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan.
The Inspector’s task was to consider the soundness and legal compliance of the submitted Plan, based on the criteria set out in paragraph 35 of the National Planning Policy Framework 2023 (the Framework) and associated regulations, such as the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, the Localism Act 2011 and the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.
The Inspector took into account the representations submitted upon the Proposed Modifications to the Submission Plan as far as they relate to soundness considerations.
The Inspector has presented his final conclusions in a binding report which can be viewed on our HMWP Reg 25 webpage.
Further Information
To view Submission Plan information, see the HMWP Reg 22 and 24 webpage.
To view the Proposed Submission Plan document and Evidence Base and for further information, see the HMWP Reg 19 webpage.
To view the draft Plan and the associated documents, please see the HMWP Reg 18 webpage.
Hampshire County Council - Minerals and Waste Planning Policy Privacy Notice