Part 13: General Schedule 7: Plan making Section 15AH: Withdrawal after strategy becomes operative Effect
Subsection (1) sets out that this section applies if a joint SDS is operative. Subsection (2) provides that once the joint SDS becomes operative no single participating authority can withdraw from it until a period of 5 years has elapsed, and that authority has given at least 12 weeks’ notice of its intention to withdraw to the other participating authorities. This is to provide some stability once a joint SDS is in place, given that emerging local plans in the area need to be in general conformity with it.
	Subsection (3) provides that notice must be given to all other participating authorities to withdraw from a joint SDS.
	Subsection (4) provides that if all the participating authorities are in agreement, the joint SDS can be withdrawn at any point after it becomes operative.
	Subsection (5) provides that if all but one of the participating authorities withdraw from the joint SDS, then the joint SDS is to be treated as having been withdrawn.
	Subsection (6) provides that the Secretary of State may direct that the joint SDS is withdrawn at any point if the Secretary of State feels it is unsatisfactory.
	Subsection (7) provides that if a participating authority withdraws from the strategy the other participating authorities must consider either altering or withdrawing the strategy.
	Subsection (8) provides that a joint SDS ceases to be operative in the area of a participating authority if they withdraw from it.