R083 - Local Plan Legal Support

Middlesbrough Council is preparing a new statutory development plan, known as the Local Plan, which will set out the planning framework for the borough. It is forward looking, setting out development proposals until 2041, and will include planning policies that will be used in the consideration of development proposals and planning applications.

As part of the plan making process, the Local Plan has been submitted to the Secretary of State who has appointed Planning Inspectors to undertake an Independent Examination, which is now underway. Part of the Examination process is the Public Hearing sessions, of which we have been advised to programme approximately 12 days for the hearings themselves. Hearing statements will also need to be prepared ahead of this during January 2026.

In order to support the Council it is necessary to seek expert support through the procurement of a legal advocate, most likely a barrister who has experience of supporting local planning authorities through the examination process. The legal advocate will help to ensure the Council is in the best position to have the local plan found sound and legally compliant and be able to progress to adoption. Appointing appropriate counsel will minimise any delays in this overall process and help reduce associated overall risk, cost and operational uncertainty.