smdc draft statement of community involvement
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Draft Statement of Community Involvement
Staffordshire Moorlands Statement of Community Involvement - March 2014
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41 Part 1 About this Statement
82 Part 2 Background
203 Part 3 How can you get involved in influencing the Content ofPlanning Policy Documents?
404 Part 4 How can you get involved in the Decision Making Processon Planning Applications?
455 Part 5 Ensuring Equal Opportunities in Consultation
496 Part 6 Monitoring & Review
51Appendix A Glossary of Terms Used
55Appendix B Sources of Information & Advice on Planning
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Part 1 About this Statement
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1 Part 1 About this Statement
What is the Statement of Community Involvement?
1.1 Planning has an impact on all residents lives, for example the location of the homeswe live in, the roads we travel on, where we shop, work and the open spaces we enjoy.These are all as a result of planning decisions. Therefore, there is a wide variety of individualsand organisations that potentially have an interest in shaping future development in theStaffordshire Moorlands.
1.2 The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) describes how the Council will seekto engage with residents, businesses and other organisations in decision making on planningpolicy documents and planning applications in the part of the Staffordshire Moorlands outsideof the Peak District National Park Boundary.
1.3 The Council is legally required to prepare an SCI under the Planning & CompulsoryPurchase Act 2004 and once adopted it will become a statutory part of the development planand the Council will be required to implement the proposals within the document whenundertaking consultation. There are also minimum requirements for consultation on planningpolicy documents set out in the Town & Country Planning Regulations which the Councilmust adhere to. However, the Council has consistently exceeded these requirements whenproducing key planning documents like the Biddulph Town Centre Area Action Plan, theStaffordshire Moorlands Core Strategy and the Churnet Valley Masterplan and intends tocontinue this approach to further strengthen community involvement in planning.
1.4 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) also provides guidance onengagement and collaboration with residents, businesses and organisations in the productionof planning documents and in the preparation and determination of planning applications.
1.5 The aim of the approach set out in the document is to ensure that all sections of thepublic, including local groups and organisations, and any hard to reach groups traditionallyunder-represented in the planning process, have the opportunity to be pro-actively involvedthroughout the process of preparing planning policy documents. The intention is to focuscommunity involvement at the outset of the plan preparation process, ensuring that residentsand other interested parties have the opportunity to be involved at an early stage of productionof each document.
1.6 The Staffordshire Moorlands is a predominantly rural area with three market townsalong with a number of villages both large and small and hamlets as well as propertiesoutside of established settlements in the open countryside. These characteristics of thearea have to be taken into account when undertaking consultation with residents aboutplanning documents. The demographics of the District also require consideration. The 2011Census shows that the Staffordshire Moorlands has an aging population with increases inthe proportion of residents aged 65+ and decreases in the proportion of those in the 0-14and 25-64 age groups.
1.7 A number of key planning policy documents likely to generate significant public interestwill be produced by the Council in the near future, particularly relating to Site Allocations.With this in mind, the Council has decided to update its original SCI to reflect changes to
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the planning system and new opportunities to engage with the public (such as social media)which have arisen since the first document was published in September 2006. This first SCIwill be fully superseded by the revised SCI once it is adopted.
1.8 PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A DRAFT DOCUMENT PUBLISHED FORCONSULTATION. FOLLOWING CONSULTATION, THE COUNCIL WILL REVIEW THECOMMENTS MADE AND MAKE ALTERATIONS TO THE DOCUMENT WHEREAPPROPRIATE BEFORE ADOPTING IT.
1.9 The SCI has been structured to give a comprehensive guide to the Councils approachwhilst at the same time enabling the community to focus on particular areas of interest bysplitting the document into sections.
Part 2 provides key background information about how the planning system works, theplanning policy documents produced by the Council and the production process forthese documents. The section also covers other considerations the Council must takeinto account when preparing its planning policy documents such as the provisions madein the Localism Act 2011.
Part 3 details methods of engagement to be used during the consultation process andincludes a consultation plan showing who will be consulted at each key stage in theplan production process of the main documents. This section also includes details asto what happens to comments received by the Council during consultations on planningpolicy documents.
Part 4 specifically covers consultation in the context of the planning applications process.
Part 5 focuses on how the Council will ensure equal opportunities in consultation byseeking to involve all sections of the community in the process and measures to beused with the aim of achieving this.
Part 6 details how the Council will monitor the effectiveness of consultations as well asthe circumstances under which this SCI will be reviewed.
1.10 This statement (and the accompanying summary) is intended as a reference pointfor the community to understand how they can become involved in planning matters. Withthis in mind, a glossary has been produced to explain the terms used (see Appendix A).
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Picture 1.1
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Part 2 Background
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2 Part 2 Background
Who is the Community?
2.1 This document has been prepared having first established a baseline structure of theStaffordshire Moorlands community and its stake holders.
2.2 This comprises:
Specific Consultation Bodies (for example utilities, Natural England, English Heritage,Environment Agency, neighbouring authorities);General Consultation Bodies (i.e. voluntary bodies, those representing different racial,ethnic, national and religious groups, local interest groups, those representing theinterests of disabled persons and local businesses as the Local Planning Authorityconsiders appropriate);General Public;Parish & Town Councils (including those who adjoin the Staffordshire Moorlands);Local Businesses (including Local Enterprise Partnership & Chambers ofTrade)Developers/Agents; andHard to reach groups.
2.3 The Council has considered how its community can best be represented and at whatstage, in the preparation of all planning policy documents and also in the determination ofplanning applications (refer to Table 3.2 and Part 4 for details).
How does the Planning System Work?
2.4 There are two key parts to the planning system - Planning Policy and DevelopmentManagement.
2.5 Planning Policyis concerned with producing the local planning documents and policiesthat are used to guide development in the Staffordshire Moorlands (outside of the PeakDistrict National Park Boundary). These documents must conform to relevant Governmentguidance, and there are specific regulatory procedures which must be followed during theirpreparation. They cover matters such as where new housing development will take placeand issues which will be taken into account when assessing a planning application.
2.6 Development Management is responsible for processing and determining planningapplications, along with other applications including works to trees, advertisements and listedbuildings. Planning applications may be determined either by officers (under delegatedpowers) or by the Planning Committee depending on the scale and nature of the proposaland any objections received.
2.7 Anyone is entitled to make comments on a planning policy document (refer to Parts2 & 3 of this document) or a planning application (refer to Part 4 of this document). Notethat policies within the Local Plan will be used to determine planning applications so it isimportant that those with an interest in the local area have their say when policy documentsare being produced. Refer to Appendix B for a list of organisations that can provide furtherinformation and advice on the planning system.
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What are the Planning Policy Documents produced by the Council?
2.8 Figure 1 (below) illustrates the hierarchy of documents within the planning policysystem.
National Planning Policy Framework Produced by Central Government
Development Plan Documents (DPD) Produced by local Councils e.g. Local Plan Have to undergo independent examination
Supplementary Planning Documents
Produced by local Councils Must reflect the contents of a
DPD Do not have to go independent
examination
Neighbourhood Plans Produced by Parish Councils or
Neighbourhood Forums Must reflect the contents of a
DPD Must undergo independent
examination
Picture 1 Hierarchy of Documents within the Planning Policy System
2.9 There are a number of different planning policy documents which have been (or willbe) produced by the Council and public consultation is a key part of this process. TheCouncils Local Development Scheme (LDS), published on the Councils website lists all ofthese documents and sets out a timetable for their preparation, consultation stages,submission and review. An up-to-date timetable is also published on the Councils websitewhere real time information on the progress of all planning documents is given.
2.10 Planning Policy documents can be accessed by using the following web address:www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk
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Development Plan Documents (DPDs)
2.11 The documents forming the Councils Local Plan (known as DPDs) all undergo astatutory production process which involves an independent examination before they canbe adopted by the Council. They are:
The Staffordshire Moorlands Core Strategy (adopted in February 2014)The Biddulph Town Centre Area Action Plan (adopted in February 2007); andThe Site Allocations Development Plan Document (production currently underway).Both the Core Strategy and the Site Allocations DPD are to be combined together intoa Local Plan.
Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs)
2.12 Other planning policy documents prepared by the Council, (known as SPDs) expandupon or supplement individual Development Plan Document policies although do not haveDevelopment Plan status themselves and do not require independent public examination.They can comprise of masterplans and strategies as well as development briefs and specificuses / topics. However they must also accord with this SCI and they cannot make or changepolicy. The Councils current list of SPDs is:
The Churnet Valley Masterplan (incorporating Alton Towers long term plan) (adoptedas an SPD in February 2014);Housing Delivery (production currently underway);Open Space, Sport & Recreation (production currently underway);Design Guide (production currently underway);Leek Town Centre Masterplan (adopted as an SPD in February 2014);Cheadle Town Centre Masterplan (adopted as an SPD in February 2014);Natural Landscape Strategy (proposed).
2.13 Note that the lists above are not exhaustive and newDPDs and SPDsmay be added.Refer to the District Councils website for the most up to date information.
What is the Production Process for Planning Policy Documents?
2.14 The Council aims to involve the community and other interested parties throughoutthe preparation of its Development Plan Documents and particularly at the early stages ofproduction to achieve greater local ownership and legitimacy for the policies that will shapefuture development in the District.
2.15 The tables below show the current production process for DPDs and SPDs basedon The Town & Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 and guidancein the NPPF. Changes to the production process could be required by amendments to theRegulations.
Production of Development Plan Documents
Stage 1 Preparation (including early engagement)Involve
Normally covers 2 consultations options and preferred options and incertain circumstances there may be a need for further consultation priorto publication
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Gather evidence from a variety of sources.Notify and consult with the local community, groups and organisationsabout the content of the proposed plan (required by Regulations).Consider issues and alternatives.Consider comments made and alternative approaches.Prepare initial Sustainability Appraisal & Habitat RegulationsAssessment.Prepare content of draft document.Prepare part 1 of Consultation Statement (required by Regulations)outlining who was consulted at this stage and how, a summary of themain issues raised and how these have been taken into account. Alsodemonstrate how requirements of SCI have been met at this stage.
Stage 2 - PublicationComment
6 week (minimum) formal period to comment on soundness of plan,sustainability appraisal, Habitats Regulation Assessment and supportingevidence.Notify and invite representations from bodies required by Regulations.Documents made available for inspection at Councils principal officeand other appropriate locations and published on the Councils website.Prepare part 2 of Consultation Statement (required by Regulations)outlining who was consulted at this stage and how, the number ofrepresentations made and a summary of the main issues raised andhow these have been taken into account. Also demonstrate howrequirements of SCI have been met at this stage.
Stage 3 Submission for Independent ExaminationInspect
Development Plan Documents submitted to Secretary of State forindependent examination.Publicise examination.Notify those involved of procedures for examination.Independent examination.Planning inspector issues report.
Stage 4 AdoptionAdopt
Adopted by Council if considered to be sound by inspector withmodifications if recommended.
Notify Notify anyone who has requested to be kept informed about thepublication of the Inspectors report and the adoption of the document.
Monitor Final plan is regularly monitored, where possible, to make sure plan isachieving its aims.Plan may be reviewed, where necessary.
Table 2.1 Production Process for Development Plan Documents
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Production of Supplementary Planning Documents
Stage 1 Preparation (including early engagement)Involve
Gather evidence from a variety of sources.Notify and consult with relevant individuals and organizations(required by Regulations).Consider issues and alternatives.Prepare initial Sustainability Appraisal (this is not required byRegulations but considered to be good practice where applicable).Prepare content of draft document.Prepare Consultation Statement (required by Regulations) settingout who was consulted when preparing SPD, a summary of the mainissues raised and how those issues have been addressed in theSPD.
Stage 2 - PublicationComment
4 week (minimum) formal period for anyone to comment on plan,consultation statement, sustainability appraisal (where applicable)and any supporting evidence.Documents made available for inspection at Councils principal officeand other appropriate locations and published on the Councilswebsite.
Stage 3 AdoptionAdopt
Document adopted by the Council.
Notify Notify anyone who has requested to be kept informed about theadoption of the document.
Monitor Final document is regularly monitored, where possible, to make sureplan is achieving its aims.Document may be reviewed, where necessary.
Table 2.2 Production Process for Supplementary Planning Documents
2.16 The approach when producing all planning policy documents will be one which focuseson early involvement in the process with the most intensive consultation taking place atStage 1, the preparation stage, with the aim of involving as many individuals andorganisations as possible in shaping the contents of the document. This approach reflectsthe 2012 Regulations and the guidance in the NPPF. Stage 2 is a formal representationstage seeking comments on whether the plan proposed for submission for examination issound (in the case of DPDs) or suitable for adoption (in the case of SPDs).
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Sustainability Appraisals (SAs)
2.17 It is a statutory requirement that the Council produces a Sustainability Appraisal (SA)in order to assess the economic, environmental, and social effects of a plan from the outsetof the preparation process to inform policy and allow decisions to be made that accord withsustainable development. The SA documents are also subject to consultation alongside theplan and inform changes at each stage in the plan production process.
2.18 At the beginning of the plan preparation process an SA Scoping Report will beproduced setting out a baseline picture of the District, with reference to both sustainabilityobjectives and indicators. For this report the Council will consult only certain, selected,bodies, statutory consultees, as required under the regulations and various other organisationsand representative interests as deemed appropriate. An initial SA is produced at Stage 1,preparation and full consultation on this document takes place with a wider audiencealongside consultation on the plan as the two are intrinsically linked. Therefore, the SA canalso be amended to reflect comments received if appropriate. A further SA report is producedat Stage 2, publication alongside the plan so once again anyone is able to make commentson it and amendments can be made. In the case of a Development Plan Document, boththe SA and the plan (along with other related documents) are then submitted to the Secretaryof State for independent examination. Following this, a final version of the SAwill be producedalongside the adopted plan.
2.19 It should be noted that production of a Sustainability Appraisal for a SupplementaryPlanning Document is not a statutory requirement. However, in most cases the DistrictCouncil intends to produce one as it is considered to be good practice and useful in informingthe production of the plan. There may be instances where an SA is not considered to benecessary, for example, when producing design guidance and a judgment will be made ona case by case basis.
2.20 Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) is also required to be undertaken if thecontents of the plan are considered to have significant effects on European protected habitatsor species in the area or in its vicinity. This document should be made available as asupporting document to accompany the plan alongside other evidence.
What elsemust the Council consider when preparing its Planning Policy Documents?
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
2.21 The National Planning Policy Framework was published in March 2012, consolidatingpreviously issued documents called Planning Policy Statements (PPS) and Planning PolicyGuidance Notes (PPG) for use in England. The document is a key part of Governmentreforms to make the planning system less complex and more accessible, to protect theenvironment and to promote sustainable growth. Local planning authorities are required tofollow the guidance within it when creating new planning policy and determining planningapplications in their area.
Staffordshire Moorlands Sustainable Community Strategy
2.22 When preparing its Local Plan and supporting policy documents, the Council isrequired to have regard to the Staffordshire Moorlands Sustainable Community Strategy.This document sets out a vision and series of outcomes for improving the quality of life inthe District. The current version covers the period 2007 2020. A review is expected totake place in the near future to ensure the content remains up to date. The document sets
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out the Councils themes to promote economic, social and environmental wellbeing byaddressing demographic changes and housing and employment needs and opportunities;and combating climate change impacts with the Vision of an excellent quality of life for allin the District. As the Government has identified Local Plans as one of the key mechanismsfor delivering Community Strategy objectives, many of the outcomes of the CommunityStrategy will be linked with aims and objectives of Local Plan documents.
2.23 The Community Strategys Key Themes and Principles include that the Council will..involve, listen to and respond to local communities by providing services tailored to localneeds and priorities, ..encourage local communities that want to take more responsibilityfor themselves and ..support community empowerment.. ; these aspirations are consideredto underpin all other areas of the Community Strategy.
2.24 The District Council is currently reviewing its consultation policy as a whole and onceproduced this will be a useful reference point for individuals and organisations within theDistrict.
Localism Act 2011
2.25 The Localism Act introduced new elements into the planning process including dutyto co-operate and neighbourhood planning.
a) Duty to Co-operate
2.26 Duty to Co-operate requires neighbouring local authorities including County Councilsand other public bodies to engage constructively, actively and on an on-going basis on crossboundary matters (e.g. levels of housing, employment, road links etc).
2.27 Local Councils are required to demonstrate compliance with the duty to co-operateas part of the examination of Local Plans. If a Council cannot adequately demonstrate thatit has complied with the duty, its Local Plan will fail the independent examination.
b) Neighbourhood Planning
2.28 Neighbourhood planning was introduced to enable communities to get more involvedin planning for their areas specifically around creating plans and policies to guide newdevelopment and in some cases granting planning permission for certain types ofdevelopment.
2.29 Other elements of neighbourhood planning introduced by the Localism Act includeNeighbourhood Development Orders and Community Right to Build Orders.
2.30 Neighbourhood Development Orders allow planning permission to be granted inrelation to a particular neighbourhood area for certain types of development. It allowscommunities to permit the development they wish to see either in full or outline without theneed for planning applications. The planning permission can vary from a number of homeson a specified site to blanket consent, such as extensions to residential properties acrossthe defined neighbourhood area. Exclusions do apply such as minerals and wastedevelopment, types of development which need Environmental Impact Assessment andnationally significant infrastructure projects. Again, the process for creating a neighbourhooddevelopment order is statutory and very similar to the process for creating a neighbourhoodplan.
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2.31 Community Right to Build Orders are made by a community organisation (set up asa body which is established to further the social, economic and environmental well-being ofindividuals living in a particular area) or the Parish/Town Council allowing them to bringforward a small development for purposes such as new homes, businesses or communityfacilities. It is a site specific application limited to the development site.
2.32 There are a number of sources of further information about all the elements ofneighbourhood planning. Any interested parties should initially refer to the DistrictCouncils website or contact the Planning Policy Team on (01538) 395570 or emailforward.plans@staffsmoorlands.gov.uk.
What other Planning Documents can you comment on?
Neighbourhood Plans
2.33 Local communities are now able to produce Neighbourhood Plans for theirneighbourhood, putting in place a vision and policies for the future development of theirarea. The plan can be used to choose where new homes, shops and employment shouldbe built, protect important local green spaces and influence what new buildings should looklike.
2.34 Neighbourhood Plans are prepared by Town or Parish Councils, where these exist,or by a neighbourhood forum, not by the District Council. Once the neighbourhood area isapproved, the local planning authority has a duty to support and advise neighbourhoodgroups which are seeking to take forward a neighbourhood plan.
2.35 All Neighbourhood Plans must have regard to national planning policy and be ingeneral conformity with the strategic policies in any up-to-date adopted or emerging LocalPlan or Core Strategy. For example, whilst communities will have influence over whathousing will look like and where it will go they will not be able to stop it altogether when thereis a housing need identified for their area in a Local Plan or Core Strategy. Plan productionhas to follow a statutory process including independent examination, consultation with andparticipation by the public and the holding of a referendum. Neighbourhood planning isoptional but if adopted by the Council, neighbourhood plans will have weight, becoming partof the plan making framework for an area.
2.36 Figure 2 below gives details of the process for creating a Neighbourhood Plan asset out by the Regulations.
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Figure 2 Neighbourhood Plan Production Process
Application for designation of a Neighbourhood Area The Parish Council applies to the Council for the Neighbourhood Area to be designated. The application must include:
A map identifying the area; A statement explaining why the area is appropriate for designation; A statement that the Parish Council is a relevant body for making the application.
Publicising an Area application The Council publicises the proposed Neighbourhood Area for a 6 week period of public consultation.
Publicising a designation of a Neighbourhood Area The Council considers any consultation responses and makes a decision on designation of the Neighbourhood Area. If designation is agreed, this decision is published with:
The name of the Neighbourhood Area; A map; The name of the Parish Council or Neighbourhood Forum applying for the designation.
If designation is refused, the Council publishes a decision document giving reasons for the refusal.
Neighbourhood Forum If there is no Parish or Town Council, a neighbourhood forum is designated.
Pre-submission consultation and publicity A draft plan is prepared. The Council has a duty to support, e.g. advising on general conformity with
strategic policies of Local Plan, evidence requirements and compatibility with European and equality/human rights obligations.
Parish Council holds six week consultation on draft plan with residents, businesses, certain specified organisations and the Council.
Submission of plan proposals Parish Council submits a consultation statement, map, statement of conformity and the proposed plan to the Council.
Publicising a plan proposal The Council publishes proposed plan for a further six week public consultation.
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Submission of plan to examination The Council arranges independent examination of the proposed plan. Examiner receives a copy of
any consultation responses and checks that requirements have been met. The Council considers Examiners report and may decide that the draft plan should proceed to local
referendum.
Referendum The Council arranges a community referendum. If a majority of those who vote - are in favour of the Neighbourhood Plan - the Plan must be made (adopted) by the Council.
Publicising a Neighbourhood Development Plan The Council publishes plan on its web-site and makes it available for inspection.
Figure 2 Neighbourhood Plan Production Process
2.37 There are a range of approaches the Council could take in order to fulfil its statutoryduty to support and advise during the neighbourhood planning process with various levelsof involvement. If a Neighbourhood Plan is proposed in the Staffordshire Moorlands, thelevels of support provided will be considered on a case by case basis depending on theresources available to the Council at that time.
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Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule
2.38 CIL is a standardized non-negotiable local levy that is placed on new developmentfor the purpose of helping to raise funds to support the delivery of the infrastructure such asschools, highways etc that is required as a result of new development. The District Councilwill decide whether to adopt CIL for the Staffordshire Moorlands later this year.
2.39 Regulations require local authorities to undertake a clearly defined procedure priorto adopting a CIL Charging Schedule, which sets out the level of charge the Council willrequire for every additional square metre of new development. The requirements forconsultation prior to adoption include:
The publication and consultation of a Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule setting outthe Councils initial consideration of an appropriate charge;
The publication of a Draft Charging Schedule on which representations can be madeprior to its submission for an independent examination. The consultation will be for aminimum of 4 weeks;
An examination in public of the Draft Charging Schedule. All those who maderepresentations on the Draft Charging Schedule will have the opportunity to make anoral presentation at a public hearing.
2.40 The Council will follow the process applied to Development Plan Documents (referto paragraph 2.14) in the production or review of a CIL Charging Schedule, recognising theimportance of early engagement within the development of new policy. The consultationmethods to be used for both the consultation on the Preliminary Draft Charging Scheduleand the Draft Charging Schedule will be advertised on the Councils website at an appropriatetime.
Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)
2.41 When preparing the SCI, the Council will undertake initial consultation which will befocussed towards members of the public and local groups in order to gauge opinion onconsultation methods used and make suggestions about other methods not currently used.It is considered that these groups are the key audience at this stage as they are notautomatically notified of all consultations in person like the statutory bodies. Commentsreceived will be used to create a draft document.
2.42 The Draft SCI will then be subject to further consultation for a minimum of 4 weeks,giving the opportunity for anyone to suggest amendments before being presented to Councilfor adoption.
Local Development Scheme (LDS)
2.43 The LDS sets out a 3 year work programme for producing planning documents. Thisshows the key consultation periods for public involvement. Whilst consultation on thisdocument is not a legal requirement, the Council considers that it is good practice to undertakea targeted local consultation in order to engage people early in the process and confirm thatpartner organisations can provide necessary information on time. Responses would berequired within a 4 week period.
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Part 3 How can you get involved in influencing the Content of PlanningPolicy Documents?
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3 Part 3 How can you get involved in influencing the Content ofPlanning Policy Documents?
PART 3 HOW WILL YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INFLUENCE THE CONTENTOF PLANNING POLICY DOCUMENTS?
Methods of Engagement
3.1 There are a wide range of techniques which can be used to involve individuals andorganisations in planning matters. The following methods will be used as engagement andnotification methods at various stages in the production of planning policy. Note that theCouncil is not undertaking to use all of the methods listed at all consultation stages or for allplanning documents. Details of which methods will be used when and who will be targetedfollow in Table 3.2.
3.2 It should be noted that the methods the Council uses will be continually reviewed. Theopportunities to use new types of engagement techniques and continually innovate in ourapproach to engagement will be considered at every consultation. Therefore, some activitiesmay not be set out in the Statement of Community Involvement as they will be specific tothe circumstances of the consultation, reflecting new opportunities and best practice. Similarly,some of the engagement methods listed may cease to exist or be superseded over time.
3.3 The Council will make the most effective use of resources, for instance by employingexternal facilitators, as well as other sections of the Council and County Council; and bycombining participation exercises where possible with other initiatives like the CommunityStrategy. In order to make effective use of resources there will also be an emphasis on useof online methods of notification about consultation and consultation itself.
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Picture 3.1
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Form
s
(Electronic&Pap
er)
Staffordshire Moorlands Statement of Community Involvement - March 201422
Draft Statement of Community Involvement
-
TYPEOF
INVOLV
EMENT
HOW
ITWILLWORK
METH
OD
Apa
perb
ased
versionof
questionn
aires/respo
nseform
swillbe
mad
eavailable
tothosewho
cann
otor
prefer
nottousetheon
lineconsultationpo
rtaland
whe
never
resourcespe
rmit,theCou
ncilwillprovideafre
epostadd
ress
forthe
return
ofthese.
Sam
ples
ofpa
rticulargrou
psor
type
sof
individu
alsmay
beinvitedto
complete
questionn
airese.g.
thosewho
have
recentlyap
pliedforp
lann
ingpe
rmission
.
Theuseof
respon
seform
s(onlinean
dpa
per)prod
uced
bytheDistrictCou
ncilto
gather
commen
tsab
outa
plan
durin
ga
statutoryconsultation
stag
eis
well
establishe
d.Aswella
sbe
ingpreferredby
thePlann
ingInspectorate
(forthose
documen
tswhich
unde
rgoinde
pend
ente
xamination),the
ytend
tobe
quickera
ndea
sier
forthe
Cou
nciltoprocessan
dprovideastructurewithinwhich
thepa
rticipa
ntcanrespon
dto
specificpa
rtsof
aplan
.How
ever,in
respon
seto
feed
back
from
mem
bers
ofthepu
blic,theCou
ncilha
sreview
edits
approa
chto
theform
atof
consultationrespon
ses.
Atthe
timeallcon
sultationtakesplaceon
anyplan
ning
policydo
cumen
t,theCou
ncilwillmakeitclea
rthat
respon
ding
onits
form
isno
tcompu
lsoryan
dthatrepresen
tations
canalso
bemad
eby
lette
rore
mail.Th
iswill
also
bestated
intheRep
resentations
Procedu
reat
statutoryconsultationstag
estoavoidconfusion.
Itisalso
intend
edthatform
alform
sareon
lyused
bytheCou
ncil
atpu
blicationstag
eof
ade
velopm
entp
lando
cumen
tand
supp
lemen
tary
plan
ning
documen
tas
they
areba
sedon
amod
elform
from
thePlann
ingInspectorate.
Feed
back
from
thege
neralp
ublic
hasindicatedthat
they
areconsidered
toha
vetoomuchjargon
makingthem
difficultto
complete.
With
thisinminditisprop
osed
tousesimpler
moreuser
frien
dlycommen
tsform
satea
rlier
stag
esintheDPDan
dSPDprod
uctionprocess.
23Staffordshire Moorlands Statement of Community Involvement - March 2014
Draft Statement of Community Involvement
-
TYPEOF
INVOLV
EMENT
HOW
ITWILLWORK
METH
OD
Gathe
ringOpinion
TheCou
ncilha
saconsultationpo
rtalw
here
itsplan
ning
policydo
cumen
tscanbe
publishe
don
linean
drespon
sescanbe
mad
edirectlyinto
thesystem
.Itrequ
ires
usersto
beregistered
onto
thesystem
andoffers
anu
mbe
rof
advantag
eswhich
Con
sultationPortal
theCou
nciliskeen
toutilise
whe
nun
derta
king
consultationon
allofitsdo
cumen
tspa
rticularly
thosewhich
gene
rate
ahigh
levelo
finteresta
ndconseq
uentlyman
yconsultationrespon
ses.
Themainad
vantag
esarethat
user
contactde
tails
are
enteredby
usersthem
selves
saving
Cou
ncilresourcesan
dredu
cing
data
entry
errors.Th
eCou
ncilcanea
silyrunrepo
rtsan
dun
derta
kean
alysisofthecommen
tsmad
e.Th
ecommen
tswill
beorga
nised
bythe
system
,saving
the
Cou
ncil
considerab
leresourcesin
term
sof
man
ually
enterin
gcommen
tsan
dtra
nscribing
hand
writing.
Notificationofaconsultationisalso
muchmorestraightforwardthroug
htheau
tomaticge
nerationof
emailsto
users.
Anyon
ecanregister
tousetheconsultationpo
rtalat:
http://staffsmoo
rland
s-consult.o
bjective.co.uk/po
rtal
TheCou
ncilwou
ldliketo
seeas
man
yindividu
alsan
dorga
nisations
useits
consultationpo
rtaltocommen
ton
consultations
aspo
ssible
andstrong
lyad
vise
that
thosewith
access
toacompu
term
akeuseof
thesystem
.
Pleasebe
awarethat
commen
tsmad
eusingthepo
rtalcou
ldbe
mad
eavailable
fora
nyon
eto
view
durin
gtheconsultationpe
riod,
thou
ghthisisno
tgua
rantee
das
itisde
pend
ento
nwhe
nthecommen
tsaresubm
itted
andavailableresources.
All
commen
tsho
wever
they
weremad
ewillbe
mad
eavailabletoview
onlineafterthe
consultationha
sen
ded.
Staffordshire Moorlands Statement of Community Involvement - March 201424
Draft Statement of Community Involvement
-
TYPEOF
INVOLV
EMENT
HOW
ITWILLWORK
METH
OD
Providing
Inform
ation
&Raising
Awaren
ess
Pap
ercopies
ofthemainconsultationdo
cumen
tsrelatingto
theLo
calP
lanan
dsupp
ortingeviden
ceba
sewillbe
availableto
view
attheBiddu
lph,
Che
adle
and
Leek
Cou
ncils
Con
nect
offices
asrequ
iredby
Reg
ulations.
Alllibrarie
sin
the
Pap
er-based
Con
sultation
District
willha
vecopies
ofthemainLo
calP
lanconsultationdo
cumen
tsavailable
toview
attheircou
nters(butno
tcop
iesofthefulleviden
ceba
seun
less
they
occupy
thesameprem
ises
astheCou
ncilOfficese.g.
Leek
andChe
adle).
Som
eSPDs
may
coverspecificpa
rtsof
theDistrictan
dinthiscase
onlyap
prop
riatelylocated
Cou
nciloffices
andlibrarie
swillbe
used
.Whe
reap
plicab
le,sum
marydo
cumen
tsan
dleaflets
willbe
widelydistrib
uted
inorde
rto
reachas
man
ymem
bers
ofthe
publican
dorga
nisations
aspo
ssible.
Providing
Inform
ation
&Raising
Awaren
ess
Inrespon
setocommen
tsmad
eab
outpreviou
sconsultations,the
Cou
ncilwillseek
tocorrespo
nddirectly
with
the
localcommun
itythroug
hmailshots/leaflets
publicisingits
prop
osalsde
livered
toho
useh
olds
andbu
sine
sses
intheDistrictat
such
times
itconsidersthisto
beap
prop
riate.
Mailouts
Thege
ograph
ical
coverage
ofsuch
mails
hots
willde
pend
onthena
ture
ofthe
prop
osals.
Forinstance,forsite
allocations
throug
houttheDistrictas
partofaLo
cal
Plan,
leaflets
/flyerswillbe
distrib
uted
toallh
ouseho
ldsan
dbu
sine
sses
inthe
District
(with
theexceptionof
thepa
rtsof
theDistrict
which
fallwithin
thePea
kDistrictNationa
lParkBou
ndary).Fo
rprop
osalsaffectingasm
allerarea
leaflets/
flyerswillbe
targeted
towards
househ
olds
andbu
sine
sses
within
that
particular
area
only
ortheCou
ncilmay
send
outindividu
allette
rsto
househ
olde
rsan
dbu
sine
sses.
Statutory
consultationbo
dies
willreceivedirect
notificationof
allkey
consultation
stag
esintheprod
uctionof
aLo
calP
lanor
anSPDby
emailorthrou
ghthepo
st.
25Staffordshire Moorlands Statement of Community Involvement - March 2014
Draft Statement of Community Involvement
-
TYPEOF
INVOLV
EMENT
HOW
ITWILLWORK
METH
OD
Providing
Inform
ation
&Raising
Awaren
ess
Thisda
taba
seha
sbe
eninop
erationfora
numbe
rofyea
rsan
disavitaltoo
lused
tokeep
details
ofkeycontacts
andno
tifyinterested
parties
abou
tforth
coming
consultationon
plan
ning
policydo
cumen
ts.Itcurren
tlyho
ldsover
2000
records,
includ
ingspecifican
dge
neralcon
sultees.
Con
sultationDatab
ase
Theda
taba
seisarecord
oforga
nisations
andindividu
alswho
:
a)Haverequ
estedto
bekept
inform
edab
outp
lann
ingpo
licydo
cumen
ts;a
nd/o
r
b)Havepreviouslyrespon
dedto
consultations
onplan
ning
policydo
cumen
ts;a
nd/o
r
c)Organ
isations
listedintheReg
ulations
that
theCou
ncilisrequ
iredto
consult.
TheCou
ncilwillinclud
ene
windividu
alsan
dorga
nisations
ontheda
taba
seup
onrequ
est.
Asne
wcommun
itygrou
psarebe
ingform
edan
ddissolvedallthe
timetheCou
ncil
willrelyon
represen
tatives
ofthegrou
pto
inform
them
asto
whe
ther
they
wan
tto
beinclud
edor
exclud
edfro
mthis
databa
se.
Group
sshou
ldno
texpe
ctto
beau
tomaticallyinclud
edon
theda
taba
seun
less
they
areSpe
cific
Con
sultees(as
defined
intheReg
ulations).
E-m
ailalerts
offorth
comingconsultations
willbe
sentou
ttoalltho
sewith
anem
ail
addresson
theCon
sultationDatab
ase.
TheCou
ncilspreferen
ceistocommun
icate
with
interested
parties
electro
nically
asthis
isqu
ickeran
dmorecost
effective.
How
ever,postalcom
mun
ications
willstilltake
placeatap
prop
riatetim
eswith
those
who
dono
thavean
e-mailadd
ress
toavoidexclud
ingpe
oplefro
mtheconsultation
process.
Clearly,e
mailadd
resses
andpo
stalad
dresseschan
geover
timean
dif
individualsandorganisations
wishtocontinue
receivinginform
ationfro
mtheplanning
Staffordshire Moorlands Statement of Community Involvement - March 201426
Draft Statement of Community Involvement
-
TYPEOF
INVOLV
EMENT
HOW
ITWILLWORK
METH
OD
policysection,they
willne
edtono
tifyus
ofan
ychan
gestocontactdetailsothe
rwise
postal
andem
aila
ddresses
which
arereturned
totheCou
ncilas
unde
livered
will
bede
letedfro
mtheda
taba
seun
less
they
arestatutoryconsultees.
Onlinepo
rtalusers
willreceiveareminde
rof
theiruser
namean
dpa
sswordfro
mtim
eto
time(usuallyon
anan
nualba
sis).
Areview
oftherecordshe
ldwillbe
cond
uctedfro
mtim
etotim
etoen
sure
thatthose
ontheda
taba
sewou
ldstillliketo
beinclud
ed.
Providing
Inform
ation
&Raising
Awaren
ess
TheCou
ncilwillprod
ucedo
cumen
tsinalternativeform
atson
requ
est;thisinclud
eslargeprint,Braille,
theTalkingNew
spap
eran
din
lang
uage
sothe
rthan
Eng
lish.
TheCou
ncilalso
operates
aLan
guag
eLine
whe
rean
interpretercan
translatethe
inform
ation.
Availability
ofDocum
ents
inAlternativeFo
rmats
TheCou
ncilwillinclud
einform
ationab
outthisserviceinits
consultation
documen
tationan
don
itsweb
site.
Providing
Inform
ation
&Raising
Awaren
ess
Site
notices
willbe
displayedto
draw
attentionto
allp
ropo
sedsite
allocations
for
housing,
employmen
tor
retailuses
within
draftcopies
oftheSite
Allocations
Develop
men
tPlanDocum
ent/Lo
calPlanat
anap
prop
riate
stag
ein
theplan
Site
Notices
prod
uctionprocess.
Thisisconsidered
tobe
aneffectiveway
ofraisingaw
aren
ess
ofplan
prop
osalsan
dinpa
rticularn
otifyinginterested
parties
livingan
d/orw
orking
inthelocalarea.
Ifthesesiteno
tices
areremoved
byan
ythird
parties
durin
gtheconsultationpe
riod,
theCou
ncilcann
otbe
heldrespon
siblean
dthereisno
guaran
teethat
thesewill
bereplaced
.
27Staffordshire Moorlands Statement of Community Involvement - March 2014
Draft Statement of Community Involvement
-
TYPEOF
INVOLV
EMENT
HOW
ITWILLWORK
METH
OD
Raising
Awaren
ess
Pub
licity
postersareausefulmecha
nism
toletthe
localcom
mun
ityknow
abou
tplan
ning
policyconsultations.Th
eCou
ncilwillrequ
esta
ssistancefro
mParish
Posters
Councils
todisplaynotices
intheircom
munity
relatingtoplanning
policyconsultations
and/o
rCou
ncilOfficers
willdisplaypo
stersat
approp
riate
stag
esto
helpraise
publicaw
aren
esswhe
rethey
consider
that
thiswou
ldbe
bene
ficial.
Providing
Inform
ation
&Raising
Awaren
ess
Man
yplan
ning
policydo
cumen
tsareleng
thyan
dtechnicalbytheirv
eryna
ture.
TheCou
ncilwillthereforeprod
ucemoreuser
frien
dlysummarydo
cumen
tsat
anSum
maryDocum
ents
approp
riate
stag
eintheplan
prod
uctionprocess.
Thesewillbe
mad
eavailable
freeof
charge
ontheweb
site
andat
approp
riate
venu
esthroug
hout
theDistrict.
Providing
Inform
ation
&Raising
Awaren
ess
TheCou
ncilissues
newsreleases
tolocal,region
alan
d(if
approp
riate)n
ationa
l,print,broa
dcasta
ndon
linemed
iaou
tlets.Th
isinclud
esthosesugg
estedby
amajority
oftheCitizens
Pan
elinasurvey
heldinJuly20
13.How
ever,clearlythe
Cou
ncilcann
otcontrolw
hether
thepresschoo
seto
featuretheseor
not.
Med
iaRelea
ses
TheCou
ncilmay
arrang
epa
idad
vertising
inthelocalpap
ers(Lee
kPost&
Times,
Sen
tinel,B
iddu
lphChron
iclean
dChe
adle&Tean
Times
werethemostfrequ
ently
sugg
estedinasurvey
oftheCitizens
Pan
el)toraiseaw
aren
essab
outcon
sultation
onplan
ning
policydo
cumen
ts.Th
ede
cision
totake
thisap
proa
chwillbe
based
onthedo
cumen
tinqu
estionan
dwhe
ther
itsconten
tsarelikelytocrea
tesign
ificant
publicinterestas
wellasresourcesavailableat
that
time.
Alternativemetho
dsof
advertising
includ
inglocaln
ewsletters
willbe
used
bythe
Cou
ncilifitconsidersthisto
beap
prop
riate
andsubjecttoresourcesavailableat
that
time.
Staffordshire Moorlands Statement of Community Involvement - March 201428
Draft Statement of Community Involvement
-
TYPEOF
INVOLV
EMENT
HOW
ITWILLWORK
METH
OD
Thereisno
wno
statutoryrequ
iremen
ttoplaceform
alno
tices
inlocalnew
spap
ers
abou
tcon
sultationat
everystatutorystag
eon
everydo
cumen
tand
itisno
tconsidered
that
theseform
alno
tices
werepa
rticularly
usefulto
notifythege
neral
publicab
outforthcomingconsultationas
they
wererequ
iredtoinclud
eterm
swhich
may
notbeea
silyun
derstood
andwereplaced
intheform
alno
tices
sectiontowards
therear
ofthene
wspap
erso
oftenmissedby
read
ers.
Also,
thesead
verts
were
notcon
side
redthebe
stuseof
limitedresourcesas
they
wererelativelyexpe
nsive
toplace.
Itisconsidered
that
moreattra
ctivead
vertising
usingless
jargon
wou
ldbe
moreap
prop
riate
whe
rethereislikelyto
besign
ificant
publicinterestinthe
conten
tsofapa
rticulardocum
ent.Th
erefore,type
sofad
vertising
foreachdo
cumen
twillbe
considered
onacase
bycase
basiswith
theaim
ofitbe
ingas
effectiveas
possible.
Gathe
ringOpinion
Thereisan
establishe
dne
tworkofParishan
dTownCou
ncils
throug
houttheDistrict
which
willcontinue
tobe
consultedon
plan
ning
policydo
cumen
tsan
dplan
ning
applications
relevanttotheira
reas.Parishan
dTownCou
ncils
inothe
rareas
which
border
theStaffo
rdshire
Moo
rland
sbo
unda
ryarealso
consultedon
plan
ning
policy
documen
tsas
requ
iredby
theReg
ulations.
Parishan
dTownWorksho
ps/
Mee
tings
Providing
Inform
ation
&Raising
Awaren
ess
Asthey
play
such
animpo
rtant
role
inthelocalcom
mun
ity,the
Cou
ncilwillseek
toinvolveParishan
dTownCou
ncils
intheform
ulationof
new
plan
ning
policy
documen
tson
apro-activeba
sis.
Inad
ditionto
statutoryconsultation,
officers
curren
tlyattend
ParishAssem
blymee
tings
asan
othe
rway
ofinform
ingpa
rishe
sab
outforth
comingconsultationon
plan
ning
policydo
cumen
ts.Individu
alParish
Cou
ncilmee
tings
have
been
attend
edby
officerson
requ
estand
thisap
proa
chwill
becontinue
dsubjecttoavailableresources.
TheCou
ncilhe
ldParishWorksho
ps(to
which
allP
arishCou
ncils
intheStaffo
rdshire
Moo
rland
splan
ning
area
were
invited)
aspa
rtof
Core
Stra
tegy
consultation.
Theirform
atconsisted
ofa
29Staffordshire Moorlands Statement of Community Involvement - March 2014
Draft Statement of Community Involvement
-
TYPEOF
INVOLV
EMENT
HOW
ITWILLWORK
METH
OD
presen
tationby
Cou
ncilofficersto
providethecontextfollowed
bysm
allgrou
proun
dtablediscussion
s(with
supp
ortingmaterialsuchas
map
s)coverin
ganu
mbe
rof
detailedissues.Fe
edba
ckof
thekeyissues
iden
tifiedon
each
tablewas
then
giventothegrou
pas
awho
le.EventslikethisaretheCou
ncilspreferredap
proa
chto
enga
ging
with
ParishCou
ncils
asitisconsidered
that
thisisan
effectiveway
ofdiscussing
issues
affectingtheircom
mun
ityan
dconsideringwhe
ther
thecommun
itycouldaccommod
ategrow
th,for
exam
ple.
Gathe
ringOpinion
Pub
licexhibitions
anddrop
insessions
whe
remem
bers
ofthepu
bliccandiscuss
issues
with
Plann
ingOfficers
willbe
held
atkeyconsultationstag
esto
assist
the
publicinun
derstand
ingan
drespon
ding
toprop
osals.
Thesewillbe
heldatanu
mbe
r
Pub
licExhibition
s/D
rop-in
Session
sProviding
Inform
ation
&Raising
Awaren
ess
ofvenu
esthroug
hout
theDistrict
whe
replan
smay
affect
thelocalcom
mun
ity,o
rto
allowgrea
teraccess
tomem
bers
ofthepu
blican
dorga
nisations
that
may
not
beab
leto
attend
durin
gno
rmal
officeho
urs(e.g.,thosewithou
taccessto
public
orprivatetra
nspo
rt,etc).Th
eCou
ncilwillalso
holdexhibitions
outo
foffice
hours
whe
repo
ssibletogive
mem
bersofthepu
blicaccess
totheinform
ationan
dCou
ncil
officers.
Gathe
ringOpinion
Interactiveeven
tsareavaluab
letoolfora
ctivelyinvolvingalocalcom
mun
ity.Th
eCou
ncilha
simplem
entedaserie
sof
Com
mun
ityCon
versations
inconjun
ction
with
theStaffo
rdshire
Moo
rland
sCom
mun
ityVo
luntaryServices(SMCVS)with
InteractiveEvents
localvillag
es.T
hese
wereem
ployed
aspa
rtofits
initialstag
esofpu
blicconsultation
relatingto
land
useprop
osalswithintheem
erging
Site
Allocations
documen
t(an
dalso
prop
osalswithin
the
emerging
Chu
rnet
ValleyMasterplan
SPD).
These
conversations
took
theform
ofoutreach
mee
tings
atlocalvillag
eha
llswith
local
Staffordshire Moorlands Statement of Community Involvement - March 201430
Draft Statement of Community Involvement
-
TYPEOF
INVOLV
EMENT
HOW
ITWILLWORK
METH
OD
reside
nts/commun
itygrou
ps,a
llowingOfficers
tono
tonlydissem
inateLo
calP
lan
prep
arationinform
ation,
butto
give
presen
tations;an
den
courag
ein
teractive
exercisese.g.
with
map
s.
Plann
ingforR
eal
isan
othe
rexampleofthistype
ofeven
t,an
dwas
used
aspa
rtof
theBiddu
lphTownParkproject.
Gathe
ringOpinion
Cou
ncilOfficers
arekeen
tomee
tand
/orc
orrespon
dwith
Statutory
Bod
iesan
dLo
calInterestG
roup
swhe
rethiswillhe
lpto
coverp
articular
issues
inde
pthan
d/
orhe
lpgrou
psto
becomemoreinvolved
,asresourcespe
rmit.
Mee
tings
/Correspon
dence
with
Statutory
Bod
ies&
Local
InterestGroup
s
Gathe
ringOpinion
ThePartnershipismad
eup
ofkeypu
blican
dprivateorga
nisations
andon
eof
itsrolesisto
overseetheprod
uctionof
theSustainab
leCom
mun
ityStra
tegy.Th
eMoo
rland
sToge
ther
Partnership
PartnershipExecutivemee
ts6tim
esayear
andisthemainconsultationbo
dywithin
thestructure.
Itha
son
esub-grou
preflectingon
eofits
3priorities,theStaffo
rdshire
Moo
rland
sWorklessnessFo
rum
comprisingof
arou
nd15
diffe
rent
partn
ersfro
mtheprivate,pu
blican
dvoluntarysectorsallofw
homprovidesomesortofservice
forp
eoplewho
areou
tofw
ork.
ThePartnershipExecutivean
dtheWorklessness
Forumwillbo
thbe
consultedthroug
hattend
ance
attheirm
eetings
and/orsep
arate
commun
ications.
31Staffordshire Moorlands Statement of Community Involvement - March 2014
Draft Statement of Community Involvement
-
TYPEOF
INVOLV
EMENT
HOW
ITWILLWORK
METH
OD
Gathe
ringOpinion
TheCou
nciliscommitted
toen
surin
geq
ualityinits
plan
ning
policyconsultations
sowillun
derta
keou
treachwork(along
with
partn
erssuch
astheSMCVS)w
ithha
rdOutreach
work
with
Hard
toRea
chGroup
storeachgrou
psiden
tifiedinthisdo
cumen
tand
othe
rgroup
sitconsidersne
cessary.
Thismay
take
theform
ofmee
tings,w
orksho
psor
questionn
aires.
Thepa
rticular
grou
psan
dthelevelofw
orkun
derta
kenwillbe
commen
surate
with
thedo
cumen
tbe
ingprod
uced
andthelikelyimpa
ctprop
osalswithinthedo
cumen
twillha
veon
that
grou
p.
Table3.1Metho
dstheCou
ncilwilluseto
Eng
agewith
theCom
mun
ity
Staffordshire Moorlands Statement of Community Involvement - March 201432
Draft Statement of Community Involvement
-
How will individuals and organisations be consulted?
3.4 The Council will target those groups and individuals likely to have an interest in anyparticular document. The Council has limited resources and therefore has to be realistic inconsideration of whom to consult, when, and how. Careful consideration of which groupsto consult represents better economy of Council resources; and will also help to avoidconsultation fatigue i.e. over-consultation with non-relevant groups (which could lead toapathy).The Moorlands Together Partnership offers an executive body (meeting 6 times ayear) and a theme group and other existing community engagement structures like the ParishAssembly and the Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly (both meeting 4 times ayear)will be utilised where possible.
3.5 TheRegulations state that the Council must meet aminimum level of public involvement,and lists the bodies that must be consulted when preparing Local Plans. These are referredto as general consultation bodies and specific consultation bodies. These have not beenlisted within this document as they are frequently subject to change, particularly the specificconsultation bodies.
3.6 Table 3.2 set out below shows how each consultation category (listed in paragraph2.1) will be consulted on the production of all key planning policy documents. This has beendevised taking account of comments made about the consultation process during the recentproduction of the Staffordshire Moorlands Core Strategy and the Churnet Valley Masterplanas well as the Councils intention to use maximum publicity during the early stages of theprocess when plans are being drafted and make best use of its resources. The requirementsset out in the Regulations (2012) are incorporated into the table at the relevant stage as wellas additional measures the Council is proposing over and above these regulations. Newconsultation methods frequently come to light so the lists in the tables are not exhaustiveand the Council may use other methods as well as those listed.
33Staffordshire Moorlands Statement of Community Involvement - March 2014
Draft Statement of Community Involvement
-
Con
su
ltatio
n M
eth
od
Who
? Do
cum
ent
Summary
Documents
Publication
on online
Portal
Moorlands
Together
Partnership
Meetings if
appropriate
Interactive
Events
Public
Exhibitions
Media
Releases
Paper based
Direct
Notification
if on
Consultation
Database
Response
Form
Parish &
Town
Council
Workshop
Social
Media
Website
Mailout
Site Notices
Posters
Loca
l Pla
n
Stag
e 1
-
Prep
arat
ion:
a) Si
te O
ptio
ns
x x
x
x x
X
b) Pr
efer
red
Opt
ions
x x
x
x x
X
Stag
e 2:
Publ
icat
ion
x x
x x
x
SPD*
*
Stag
e 1:
Prep
arat
ion
x
x
x
STAT
UTO
RY
BODI
ES*
Stag
e 2:
Publ
icat
ion
x
x x
x
Loca
l Pla
n
Stag
e 1
Prep
arat
ion:
a) Si
te O
ptio
ns
x x
x
x x
x x
x x
x
X
X x
b) Pr
efer
red
Opt
ions
x x
x
x
x x
x x
x
X
X x
Stag
e 2:
Publ
icat
ion
x x
x x
x x
x
SPD*
*
Stag
e 1:
Prep
arat
ion
x
x
PARI
SH &
TOW
N CO
UNCI
LS*
Stag
e 2:
Publ
icat
ion
x
x x
x
Loca
l Pla
n
Stag
e 1
Prep
arat
ion:
a) Si
te O
ptio
ns
x x
x
x x
x x
x x
x
x x
x x
b) Pr
efer
red
Opt
ions
x x
x
x
x x
x x
x
x x
x x
Stag
e 2:
Publ
icat
ion
x x
x x
x x
x
x
SPD*
*
GEN
ERAL
PUBL
IC
Stag
e 1:
Prep
arat
ion
x
x
Picture
3.2
Staffordshire Moorlands Statement of Community Involvement - March 201434
Draft Statement of Community Involvement
-
Con
sulta
tion
M
etho
d
Who
? Do
cum
ent
Summary
Documents
Publication on
online Portal
Moorlands
Together
Partnership
Meetings if
appropriate
Interactive
Events
Public
Exhibitions
Media
Releases
Paper based
Direct
Notification if
on
Consultation
Database
Response
Form
Parish &
Town Council
Workshop
Social Media
Website
Mailout
Site Notices
Posters
St
age
2:
Publ
icat
ion
x
x x
x x
x
x
Loca
l Pla
n
Stag
e 1
Prep
arat
ion
a) Si
te O
ptio
ns
x x
x x
x x
x x
x x
x
x x
x x
b) Pr
efer
red
Opt
ions
x x
x x
x
x x
x x
x
x x
x x
Stag
e 2:
Publ
icat
ion
x x
x
x x
x x
x
x
SPD*
*
Stag
e 1:
Prep
arat
ion
x
x
LOCA
L BU
SINE
SSES
Stag
e 2:
Publ
icat
ion
x
x x
x x
x
x
Loca
l Pla
n
Stag
e 1
Prep
arat
ion
a) Si
te O
ptio
ns
Sam
e as
ge
ner
al pu
blic
plus
outre
ach
work
w
ith ha
rd to
re
ach
groups
an
d av
aila
bility
of
do
cum
ents
in
al
tern
ative
fo
rmat
s.
b) Pr
efer
red
Opt
ions
Sam
e as
ge
ner
al pu
blic
plus
outre
ach
work
w
ith ha
rd to
re
ach
groups
an
d av
aila
bility
of
do
cum
ents
in
al
tern
ative
fo
rmat
s.
Stag
e 2:
Publ
icat
ion
Sam
e as
ge
ner
al pu
blic
plus
avai
labi
lity
of d
ocu
men
ts in
al
tern
ative
fo
rmat
s.
SPD*
*
Stag
e 1:
Prep
arat
ion
Sam
e as
ge
ner
al pu
blic
plus
outre
ach
work
w
ith ha
rd to
re
ach
groups
(if
appl
icabl
e to
to
pic)
and
avai
labi
lity
of d
ocu
men
ts in
al
tern
ative
fo
rmat
s
HAR
D TO
REAC
H G
ROUP
S
Stag
e 2:
Publ
icat
ion
Sam
e as
ge
ner
al pu
blic
plus
avai
labi
lity
of d
ocu
men
ts in
al
tern
ative
fo
rmat
s.
Loca
l Pla
n
Stag
e 1
Prep
arat
ion
a) Si
te O
ptio
ns
x x
x
x x
x x
x x
x
x x
x x
DEVE
LOPE
R /
LAND
OW
NER
/ AG
ENT
b) Pr
efer
red
Opt
ions
x x
x
x
x x
x x
x
x x
x x
35Staffordshire Moorlands Statement of Community Involvement - March 2014
Draft Statement of Community Involvement
-
Figu
re3.2
Staffordshire Moorlands Statement of Community Involvement - March 201436
Draft Statement of Community Involvement
-
Con
sulta
tion
M
etho
d W
ho?
Docu
men
t
Summary
Documents
Publication
on online
Portal
Moorlands
Together
Partnership
Meetings if
appropriate
Interactive
Events
Public
Exhibitions
Media
Releases
Paper based
Direct
Notification
if on
Consultation
Database
Response
Form
Parish &
Town
Council
Workshop
Social
Media
Website
Mailout
Site Notices
Posters
Stag
e 2:
Publ
icat
ion
x x
x x
x x
x
x
SPD*
*
Stag
e 1:
Prep
arat
ion
x
x
Stag
e 2:
Publ
icat
ion
x
x x
x x
x
x
*
All S
tatu
tory
Bo
dies
are
o
n th
e Co
nsu
ltatio
n D
ata
base
.
**
Note
th
at S
PDs
vary
gr
eatly
in
te
rms
of t
he to
pic
cove
red
and
there
fore
th
e le
vel o
f publ
ic in
tere
st. Th
ey
ma
y co
ver
the de
taile
d pl
annin
g of a
n are
a
e.g.
th
e Ch
urn
et V
alle
y M
ast
erp
lan
or
a te
chn
ical p
lan
nin
g to
pic
such
as
housi
ng
deliv
ery
. W
ith th
is in
m
ind,
th
e ta
ble sh
ow
s th
e m
inim
um
th
e
Co
unci
l will
do to
co
nsu
lt o
n an SP
D bu
t more
co
nsu
ltatio
n m
ay
take
pl
ace
if
the co
nte
nts
of t
he do
cum
ent a
re co
nsi
dere
d by
th
e Co
unci
l to ha
ve a
po
tentia
lly hi
gh le
vel o
f publ
ic in
tere
st.
Figu
re3.2
37Staffordshire Moorlands Statement of Community Involvement - March 2014
Draft Statement of Community Involvement
-
What Happens to the Comments / Representations made to the Councilduring Consultation?
3.7 All comments / representations made in writing (i.e. by letter, on a form, email or onthe Councils consultation portal) by the deadline given will be acknowledged and theindividual / organisation who responded will be kept informed about future stages in theproduction of the plan (unless they request not to be). The Council will not accept anonymousrepresentations and late representations will only be accepted with the Councils agreement.Sometimes plans may attract a large number of objections or petitions. These will be takeninto account in the same way as other representations. Comments made at earlier roundsof consultation on a document will not normally be carried forward unless additionalconsultation is being undertaken. Any outstanding issues must be resubmitted in order tobe considered.
3.8 Copies of representations will be made available for inspection at the Council officesand on the Councils website. Copies of representations displayed on the website will removesignatures and addresses of residents in response to requests made by members of thepublic.
3.9 Comments received from all community involvement will be carefully considered, andthe changes proposed to a Local Plan or Supplementary Planning Document as a result,will be reported to the appropriate Council meeting. Documents for submission to theSecretary of State as well as the final version of an SPD proposed for adoption will beapproved by a meeting of the entire Council.
3.10 The comments / representations (usually presented to Councillors in summary formdue to their number and length) will form part of the evidence base given to Councillorswhen they are asked to make decisions. The evidence base consists of a range of informationthat needs to be considered in making a decision. This may also include guidance andresearch. It will be for the Councillors to judge the weight to be given to specific commentsmade and to balance those comments with other relevant sources of information on thematter.
3.11 The Council is required to prepare a consultation statement setting out who wasconsulted and how, a summary of the main issues raised by respondents and how theseissues have been taken into account for Local Plan documents and SPDs. The Councilmust then make a copy of this statement available for comment along with the documentbeing prepared during statutory consultation periods and submit it to the Secretary of Statefor Local Plan documents undergoing independent examination as evidence that the Councilhas met the contents of its SCI as well as its statutory consultation requirements.
Staffordshire Moorlands Statement of Community Involvement - March 201438
Draft Statement of Community Involvement
-
Part 4 How can you get involved in the Decision Making Process onPlanning Applications?
39Staffordshire Moorlands Statement of Community Involvement - March 2014
Draft Statement of Community Involvement
-
4 Part 4 How can you get involved in the Decision Making Processon Planning Applications?
PART 4 HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS ONPLANNING APPLICATIONS?
Methods of Involvement when Consulting on Planning Applications
4.1 The Councils policy for consulting on planning applications is set out below. It is inconformity with the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure)(England) Order 2010 and other relevant legislation including the National Planning PolicyFramework, and also reflects this Councils adopted practices and procedures (as amendedin February 2014).
4.2 When a valid application is received and registered, the Council has to carry out certainformal consultations, for example with the Parish Council or Highway Authority. Dependingon the nature of the application, national bodies with statutory functions, such as theEnvironment Agency, Sport England and English Heritage will also be consulted. The Councilalso notifies interested parties and neighbours in accordance with Government Guidelinesand the Councils own adopted practices.
4.3 Different types and scales of application require different methods of consultation.For most applications neighbour notification is likely to be sufficient to meet the statutoryrequirements. However where applications that are deemed major in terms of their scale,those that require an Environmental Impact Assessment Statement under the regulations,or are deemed contrary to the development plan are received, the regulations also requirethe Council to advertise these applications in the local press (and sometimes the nationalpress).
4.4 Additionally the Council will employ various additional outreach methods of publicconsultation, where a planning application would be either be:
1. major in scale and not in accord with planning policy; or secondly
2. Where it would give rise to issues of local controversy.
4.5 Where either of these situations arises, the Council will normally employ one or moreof the following means of involving the community in addition to the statutory minima:
Public meetings;
Development briefs, and
Workshops.
4.6 Town and Parish Councils have been invited to nominate any live planning applicationupon which they wish the Planning Applications Service to attend to undertake discussionwith, and provide advice to, the public (on a without prejudice basis).
Staffordshire Moorlands Statement of Community Involvement - March 201440
Draft Statement of Community Involvement
-
Pre-application Community Involvement
4.7 For significant applications such as those listed above, the Council will encouragedevelopers to undertake pre-application discussions and early community consultation. Theaim of this process is to promote discussion between developers, statutory consultees andthe community to identify any issues of concern before a formal application is made andtherefore give an opportunity for these to be resolved at an early stage.
4.8 Community consultation could comprise the methods highlighted in paragraph 4.4-developers meeting with Parish Councils, community groups or holding public meetings orexhibitions. It must be noted however the Council cannot refuse to accept a valid applicationbecause it disagrees with the way in which a developer has consulted the community, butfailure by the developer to consult could lead to objections being made which are materialto the determination of the application.
Availability of Information relating to Planning Application Decisions
4.9 The Council is in the process of reviewing and improving the accessibility to informationonce the decision on a planning application is made. It is intended that all of the applicationfile papers will be available to view online at the time of receipt and during the decisionmaking process. This will help residents, consultees, and Town and Parish Councils to keepupdated and (for consultees and Town/Parish Councils) to scrutinise the extent to whichdecisions accord with their advice.
Methods of Consultation / Notification
The Weekly List
4.10 A register of all received and determined planning applications, updated weekly isavailable on the District Councils website at www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk
Newspaper Notices
4.11 Certain types of applications are advertised in the local press, including majordevelopments (for example a housing development of ten houses or more), developmentsaffecting listed buildings and conservation areas, an application which is accompanied byan Environmental Impact Assessment Statement, or an application which is a departurefrom the Councils normal policies. Occasionally the Council may also advertise applicationswhich do not fit into the above categories, but are of wider interest.
Site Notices
4.12 The Council posts notices on site informing people of applications which fall withinthe same categories as for newspaper notices, listed above. These state when the Noticewas posted, and the date by which representations need to be made.
Local Councils
4.13 Town and Parish Councils are sent details of all current planning applications withintheir area of the Staffordshire Moorlands, for information and comment. Town and ParishCouncils whose areas adjoin Staffordshire Moorlands District will be sent details of planningapplications likely to have an impact on their areas. This will be applied at the discretion ofthe Council but in all cases for wind turbine applications.
41Staffordshire Moorlands Statement of Community Involvement - March 2014
Draft Statement of Community Involvement
-
Neighbour
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