What next after the Consultation?

We've had a few people ask what happens now the six-week "consultation" is over.

This is from the Council's website:

• What happens once my response is submitted?
  
  All representations received during the 6-week consultation period will be passed to the Inspectors for them to consider – they would not come back to the Council for a decision at that point in the process.
  
  It would be for the Inspectors to decide whether to recommend allocation of the sites.
• What are the next steps in the process after the consultation is finished?
  
  Anyone seeking changes to the proposals and who has submitted a response during the consultation period will have a right to submit evidence and/or appear at the public hearings in the autumn which are expected to commence in the week commencing 29th September.
  
  However, objectors will be contacted before then by the Examination Programme Officer to ask them if they wish to submit written evidence or appear in person at the hearings.
  
  A deadline will be set by the Inspectors for submitting written statements.
  
  The Inspectors will use the representations and written statements to set agendas for the Examination hearings.

We believe each submission is logged by the Council and given a unique reference number.

If you sent something to the Council they should send you a reference number - make sure you get one!

The current Sheffield Plan Timeline as of 14^th July 2025 has the following schedule:

• Now - 21^st July
  
  Collate consultation responses for the Inspectors.
• 21^st July - 8^th September
  
  Inspectors produce agendas for Stage 3 and 4 hearings.
• 8^th September - 29^th September
  
  SCC and participants prepare for Stage 3 and 4 hearings.
• 29^th September - 6^th October
  
  Stage 4 hearings (Green Belt sites).

The draft schedule for the hearings says:

• Tues 30^th September
  
  Hearings open
• Thurs 2^nd October Morning Session 9:30am
  
  Proposed additional sites in Handsworth (SES29 and SES30)