The Secretary of State has appointed the following inspectors to hold the independent examination of the Portsmouth Local Plan:
- T. Parton BA (Hons) MPLAN MRTPI
- D. McCreery BA (Hons) MA MRTPI
- M. Philpott BA(Hons) MA MRTPI
Hearing venue
Hearing sessions will be held at:
Executive Meeting Room
Third Floor, Portsmouth Guildhall
Guildhall Square
Portsmouth PO1 2AB
Hearing arrangements
The hearings will start at 10am on Tuesday 6 October 2026.
For hearing dates, session times and topics to be discussed, please see the Inspectors' Initial Hearing Programme v3 (PDF, 401.29KB).
Watch hearings online
Hearing sessions will be livestreamed and recorded on the council's YouTube channel.
Livestream links for the week 1 hearing session:
- Local plan examination hearing session - 6 October
- Local plan examination hearing session - 7 October
- Local plan examination hearing session - 8 October
- Local plan examination hearing session - 9 October
Attending a hearing in person
Limited seating is available for people who wish to observe the hearings in person. Remote viewing is encouraged where possible.
Observer seating will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis. Once capacity has been reached, observers will need to watch the hearing online.
If you wish to observe a hearing in person, contact the Programme Officer as early as possible and provide:
- which sessions you wish to observe
- the names of all people in your party
- the matter you wish to observe
Only people listed as participants in the hearing programme may speak during the hearings. Observers are not allowed to speak as part of the hearings.
Please do not sit in any reserved seats, as these are only for people taking part in the hearing.
If you have any specific needs, please let the Programme Officer know in advance of the hearings.
Signing in at the venue
On arrival, enter through the Guildhall reception and take the lift to the third floor. You will be directed to the Executive Meeting Room, where you will be required to sign in. Please ensure you enter Executive Meeting Room through the signposted door.
Information for participants
The Inspectors’ guidance notes explain the role of the Inspectors and the purpose of the hearings. These notes, alongside the Inspectors' Matters, Issues and Questions (MIQs) will help guide the discussion during the sessions.
If you are taking part in a hearing session:
- check the latest hearing programme before attending
- make sure you are listed as a participant for all relevant sessions (the document will be available shortly) - if you name is missing, contact the Programme Officer immediately at programmeofficer@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or on 07582 310364
- arrive in good time for your session
- be available for any reserve sessions listed in the programme - the inspectors will use these if any earlier sessions run out of time
- ensure you speak into the microphones so that sound is picked up on the livestream
The Programme Officer will try to inform the participants of any changes to the timetable. However, participants are responsible for checking hearing times and keeping up to date with any changes.
Additional speakers ('hot seats')
There is limited space at the hearing table. A limited number of extra seats ('hot seats') will be available for representors who request more than one speaker. These seats are intended only for people who will be speaking during the hearing.
Please provide the Programme Officer with the names of all your participants, including any additional speakers.
If you're listed as a participant or hot seater, a nameplate will be placed at your assigned seat. Please do not move it or sit anywhere else.
Taking part for the first time
The Planning Inspectorate has produced a short guide for anyone taking part in a Local Plan Examination for the first time: Local plans guide to taking part in examinations.
Accessibility
The hearing venue is wheelchair accessible and has a hearing loop, with disabled toilets provided on the ground floor and an accessible lift.
If you have any specific needs, please contact the Programme Officer as soon as possible.
Wi-Fi and power sockets
Public Wi-Fi is available at the venue. Please speak to the Programme Officer if you need any help using it.
Power sockets are limited for participants, so all attendees should ensure devices are fully charged before arriving.
Food and refreshments
The hearing venue is situated near the Portsmouth city centre, where there are multiple food outlets.
Getting to the venue
Public transport
By train: Portsmouth Guildhall is just across the square from Portsmouth & Southsea Train Station.
By bus: Local and regional bus services stop at Commercial Road City Centre which is a 5-minute walk from Portsmouth Guildhall.
Public transport is encouraged where possible to reduce the impact on the environment.
By car
There is easy access into Portsmouth on the M275 from Junction 12 of the M27, with links to the M3 and A3 connecting the city with Southampton, Chichester, London and beyond. Postcode for Sat Nav: PO1 2AB.
There is a Portsmouth Park & Ride service situated at a purpose-built location on the M275 entrance to Portsmouth.
Parking
There is limited parking near the Guildhall site. Attendees are encouraged to use public transport where possible.
People travelling into the city by car are advised to use the Portsmouth Park & Ride service. The nearest stop for the Guildhall is Victoria Park.
Isambard Brunel Multi-Storey Car Park has 460 spaces and is 0.2 miles from the hearing venue.
There are a very limited number of on-street parking spaces outside the venue along King Henry Street and Exchange Road.
You can find council car parks in Portsmouth.
Clean Air Zone
Portsmouth Guildhall is within Portsmouth's Clean Air Zone - a scheme introduced to tackle air pollution levels in the city.
Private cars, motorcycles and vans are not charged to enter the zone. Charges may apply to some non-compliant HGVs, buses, coaches, taxis and private hire vehicles.
For more information, visit Cleaner Air Portsmouth.