Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) - The DLUHC is the UK Government ministerial department for housing, communities and local government in England. It was formerly the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

Design Guidance - Sets out the characteristics of well-designed places and illustrates how to achieve in practice, well-designed places that are attractive, enduring and thriving.

Draft plan – A complete version of a development plan document that can be subject to minor changes after consultations.

Development Briefs and guidance - Set out potential land uses, extent and kind of development, the constraints of sites, open space and access arrangements to inform development proposals for the areas.

Development Plan: Statutory documents that set out the Local Planning Authority’s policies and proposals to guide or promote the development and use of land and buildings in the authority’s area.

Examination (Local Plans) - Consideration of public views on a proposed Local Plan, held before an Independent Planning Inspector who has been appointed by the Secretary of State to determine whether the plan is ‘sound’ and can recommend changes to the Local Plan.

Examination (Neighbourhood Development Plans) – Consideration of public views on a proposed NDP, held by an independent Examiner to determine whether the NDP meets the basic conditions and other requirements set out by law.

Habitats Regulations (HR) – Stages of assessment required by law under the Habitats Regulations (Conservation of Habitats and Species) Regulations 2017, to be carried out on any development project that has the potential to affect the protected features of a habitats site (for example a European protected site) before deciding whether to undertake, permit or authorise such projects.

Independent examiner – An examiner with relevant experience and qualifications who is independent of the Local Planning Authority and Parish Council or Neighbourhood Forum, appointed by the Local Planning Authority to examine whether the neighbourhood plan meets the 'Basic Conditions' and other relevant legal requirements (for example, consultation).

Inspector’s report - A report issued by a planning inspector concerning the planning issues debated at the independent examination of a Local plan. These reports will be binding upon the Local Planning Authority.

Legislation - A law or a set of laws that has been passed by Parliament, also known as an Act of Parliament or statute. This takes precedence over any other source of law. Legislation is also used to describe the act of making a new law.

Local Plan – Statutory development document that guides decisions on future development proposals and addresses the needs and opportunities of the area. It is also used in deciding planning applications and other planning related decisions.

Local Planning Authority (LPA) - Local Government body with statutory planning powers to exercise urban planning functions within their area. Buckinghamshire Council is a Local Planning Authority.

Made – The word used to describe a Neighbourhood Plan that has been through examination and/or referendum and has been accepted to be included as part of the Local Development Plan Document.

Main council offices

• The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury HP19 8FF
• Walton Street Offices, Walton Street, Aylesbury HP20 1UA
• King George V House, King George V Rd, Amersham HP6 5AW
• Queen Victoria Road, High Wycombe HP11 1BB

Neighbourhood Forum - An organisation or group empowered to lead the neighbourhood planning process in a neighbourhood area where there is no town or parish council. A group or organisation must apply to the local planning authority to be designated as a neighbourhood forum.

Planning Inspectorate (PINS) - The Planning Inspectorate is a joint executive agency of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). The Inspectorate works on behalf of the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (England), to deal with planning appeals, national infrastructure planning applications, examinations of local plans and other planning-related and specialist casework in England and Wales.

Redacting - Editing a document to conceal or remove information, deemed to be confidential or sensitive, before publication.

Referendum - A public vote held to decide a single issue, such as public voting carried out in the making of a Neighbourhood Development Plan, by those living and carrying out business in the neighbourhood area.

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) - A process which requires the identification and evaluation of the impacts a plan is likely to have on the environment and by which environmental considerations are required to be fully integrated into the preparation of certain plans.

Sustainability Appraisal (SA): A process used to assess the impact of a plan, project or strategy on the economy, community and environment. The aim of the process is to minimise any adverse impact by suggesting ways to avoid or reduce the impacts. Undertaking a sustainability appraisal of the Local Plan is a statutory requirement of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. An SEA can be incorporated into an SA report where both assessments are required.