The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 is amended as follows.
For section 20(7) (independent examiner must make recommendations with reasons) substitute—
For section 23(2) and (3) (adoption of development plan documents, whether as prepared or with modifications, must be in accordance with independent examiner's recommendations) substitute—
Omit section 22(2) (development plan document not to be withdrawn once submitted for independent examination unless examiner or Secretary of State directs that it be withdrawn).
In section 21 (intervention by Secretary of State) after subsection (9) insert—
The amendments made by subsections (2) and (3) apply in relation to all adoptions of development plan documents that take place after the coming into force of those subsections, including an adoption where steps in relation to the document have taken place before then.