A strategic planning authority that has prepared a draft spatial development strategy must, unless the Secretary of State otherwise directs, make arrangements for an examination of the draft strategy to be held in public.
Such an examination is to be conducted by a person appointed by the Secretary of State (the "examiner").
The matters examined at an examination are to be such matters affecting the consideration of the spatial development strategy as the examiner considers appropriate.
The following may take part in an examination—
No person is to have a right to be heard at an examination.
On conclusion of the examination, the examiner must make a report to the strategic planning authority that prepared the strategy.
The report may recommend that specified modifications are made to the draft strategy before it is adopted.
The report may recommend that the draft strategy is withdrawn.
The strategic planning authority must publish the report.