Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)

We are responsible for determining planning applications, this includes applications for:

• changes to your home;
• new houses and businesses;
• changing a building from one use to another;
• new schools, roads, pathways and infrastructure; and
• new sites for minerals and waste developments.

We are not responsible for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), such as changes to the motorway, HS2, East-West Rail, etc. More information on these can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Decisions on planning applications must be made in line with the Development Plan (Local Plans, Neighbourhood Plans, etc.), unless there are ‘material considerations’ that indicate otherwise.

Anything relevant to making the decision can be a material planning consideration, however in general it relates to matters in the public interest rather than private matters (for example the value of an adjoining property would not be a material consideration.)

The time periods for determination are set out in law.

If more time is needed to determine an application, an ‘extension of time’ can be privately agreed between the planning officer and the applicant.

If we fail to determine the application in time, the applicant can appeal to the Secretary of State against ‘non-determination’.

More information on how applications are determined is set out on the GOV.UK website.

The council offers a range of discretionary planning advice services, to help people understand whether they need planning permission, and what information they need to provide. We encourage site promoters to be open about their proposals, but it is up to the site promoter to agree whether these discussions can be made public.

Please note that the content of this Statement of Community Involvement does not relate to HS2 planning applications as these applications are dealt with under different legislation.

We will:

• encourage applicants to consult the community where relevant

We may:

• liaise with town and parish councils and local Community Boards, where relevant

We will:

• make planning applications and the supporting documentation available to view on our website
• consult upon applications as set out in law
• notify town or parish councils of relevant applications in their area, inviting comments
• notify neighbourhood forums with a ‘made’ neighbourhood plan of relevant applications in their area, inviting comments
• for most types of application, either:
  • display a planning notice on or near the application site; or
  • post letters to neighbours adjoining the application site.

The Council has a neighbour consultation procedure note which is intended to ensure a consistent approach across the Council area. Where we have used site notices to notify neighbours of planning applications we are currently transitioning to the use of letters. There has been some technical issues with this and the Council will use both practices (site notices and letters) until such time as there is certainty that postal letters can be relied upon. Where site notices are a requirement they will continue to be displayed.

We may:

• publish a press notice
• consult with other organisations such as the Environment Agency, Natural England etc. where applicable
• encourage people to set up notifications for applications through the council’s website
• publicise a weekly list of planning applications via public channels

We will:

• publish relevant documents on our website as soon as practicable
• invite comments on applications, which we are happy to receive by letter, email, or through our website
• consider the issues raised in response to the application
• if the application is considered at Planning Committee, provide applicants, town and parish council representatives, and those who have commented on a planning application, an opportunity to register to speak at Planning Committee

Planning representations play a valuable role bringing to our attention to local issues and constraints that might not be immediately obvious to the planning case officer. All and any comments will be taken into account during the application decision-making process.

While processing planning applications, public comments and representations are submitted via the Council’s website using the Public Access online planning register. Some representations are also still submitted by email and letter.

The Council will not publish public comments on planning applications on its website. This will prevent any instances when what constitutes as “personal data” could be published online in breach of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and allows resources to be more efficiently deployed. It may also increase public participation in making representations by removing the fear of possible repercussions (from those with a different view) when contributors’ comments were being published on the Council website.

We invite public comments, and these will be summarised in the officer's report and taken into account in the decision-making process. The purpose of public consultation and notification is to allow all the relevant issues to be highlighted. Then, irrespective of the number of representations in support or against a development, planning decisions will be made in accordance with current legislation, development plan policy, and all material considerations identified.

While processing planning applications advice will be sought from appropriate statutory consultees, such as Highways, Parish & Town Councils, the Environment Agency, etc. These consultees expect that their comments will be subject to scrutiny, and as such they will be published on the Council web site through Public Access (subject to GDPR).

We will:

• publish the decision notice and officer report on our website
• Inform the applicant of the decision, usually by email
• publish any relevant appeal documents on our website or on the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) website

If the applicant does not agree with our decision they have the right to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate, in these cases anyone can submit comments directly to PINS for consideration.

More information on how to comment on appeals can be found on the GOV.UK website.