Issue - meetings

Cabinet received a report which was submitted following the approval of the Council’s Local Development Scheme (LDS) by Cabinet in July 2015, which identified that the Council would prepare a new Local Plan by 2018. 

The purpose of the report was for Cabinet to approve the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI). Following approval, it would come into force with immediate effect (subject to call-in procedures), and would guide the Preliminary Draft Local Plan consultation due to take place in January 2016, and future consultation rounds. It also informed how the Council would consult on planning applications.

The Cabinet Member for Growth, Planning, Housing and Economic Development introduced the report highlighting the main points contained within. The updated document detailed how communities would be involved in all aspects of Planning in the city. There was a SCI currently in place, however this was now about four years old and there had been a number of changes which needed to be reflected within the document, not least the changes to the neighbourhood planning process.

The Council’s Principal Strategic Planning Officer was present to respond to questions. Cabinet debated the report and in summary, key points raised and responses to questions included:

·         The SCI set out the minimum requirements which were to be carried out for planning applications, however in relation to very large, complex applications affecting many residents, there were opportunities to target and do more than the minimum requirements;

·         The SCI required the Council to consult with all the public and that did include specific groups, however anyone could make a comment on a planning application, a member of the public or any organisation; and

·         The SCI set out the same requirements as in legislation with regards to notifying neighbours and people within a certain area about planning applications. Anyone could comment on an application and a weekly list was published on the Council’s website of all planning applications received.

Cabinet considered the report and RESOLVED to adopt the Statement of Community Involvement.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

Cabinet was asked to adopt the SCI so that up to date public consultation arrangements were in place for planning related matters. 

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

The option of not updating the SCI was rejected, as this would mean that the new Local Plan consultation would be based on out dated requirements, and other elements of the current SCI did not accurately reflect legislation.