In this edition, Richard Kimblin QC meets Ian Kemp, a programme officer who is known to many of you, and Thea Osmund-Smith, planning and environmental barrister at No5. The Planning Podcast takes its first look at local plans and their examination. We take a look at the inside of an examination in public – some tips from the gatekeeper – the programme officer –virtual hearings, electronic documents and helicopters. And a reminder about two legal bear traps for local plans – duty to cooperate and strategic environmental assessment, with some lessons from the JSP for the West of England, from which there are some materials to consider on the No5 Chambers website (Opinions of Richard Kimblin QC and Thea Osmund-Smith).https://www.no5.com/media/2066/opinion-of-richard-kimblin-qc-as-made-public-in-submissions-in-respect-of-the-jsp-west-of-england.pdf and https://www.no5.com/media/2067/opinion-of-thea-osmund-smith-made-available-in-representations-in-respect-of-the-jsp-west-of-england.pdf