To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will (a) set a deadline for the formal submission of Castle Point Borough Council’s Local Development Scheme and (ii) set out what process of public consultation will be undertaken for the scheme; and if she will make a statement. (226832)

The Secretary of State’s policy is to consider reviews of local development schemes in response to annual monitoring reports, against their reported timetable for the year and exceptionally to consider any review prepared by the local authority during the year. I understand Castle Point borough council intend to bring forward a review in 2009.

There is no requirement for public consultation on a local development scheme. This is for the local planning authority to consider.