Newcastle-Under-Lyme B.C Statement of Community Involvement Adopted August 2006

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Regeneration and Planning Services Civic Offices Merrial Street Newcastle Staffs ST5 2AG

Tel: 01782 742467

Email: [email protected]

Newcastle-Under-Lyme B.C Statement of Community Involvement Adopted August 2006

Statement of Community Involvement Table of Contents Table of Contents ...... 2 This page is intentionally blank ...... 3 1. Introduction ...... 1 1.1 What it is...... 1 1.2 The role of the SCI in the Local Development Framework ...... 1 1.3 What the Statement of Community Involvement will achieve ...... 2 1.4 Resources Implications ...... 2 1.5 How it links with the Community Strategy...... 3 This page is intentionally blank ...... 5 2. Community Involvement in Newcastle-under-Lyme ...... 6 2.1 Local Conditions ...... 6 2.2 Reaching hard to reach groups ...... 7 3. Local Development Documents...... 8 3.1 Who we will be engaging? ...... 8 3.2 Inclusivity and equality of opportunity ...... 9 3.3 What we will be engaging on...... 9 3.4 When we will be consulting ...... 11 3.5 How people can get involved...... 13 3.6 What we will do with your comments...... 17 4. Development Control ...... 19 4.1 Introduction...... 19 4.2 What we will do at pre-application stage...... 19 4.3 What we will do when an application is registered ...... 19 4.4 How people can be involved...... 20 4.5 What happens once an application has been determined...... 21 5. What Happens Next with the Statement of Community Involvement .... 23 5.1 The process of adoption...... 23 5.2 Review Mechanisms for the Statement of Community Involvement...... 23 6. Getting Help With Planning Matters ...... 25 6.1 Planning Aid ...... 25 6.2 Planning Consultants ...... 25 APPENDIX A – DEVELOPMENT PLAN CONSULTATION BODIES...... 27 SPECIFIC CONSULTATION BODIES ...... 27 GENERAL CONSULTATION BODIES...... 29 APPENDIX B – CONSULTEES: PLANNING APPLICATIONS...... 32 Publicity – Planning Applications ...... 35 APPENDIX C – NON-STATUTORY CONSULTEES: PLANNING APPLICATIONS 36 GLOSSARY...... 38

Newcastle-Under-Lyme B.C Statement of Community Involvement Adopted August 2006

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Newcastle-Under-Lyme B.C Statement of Community Involvement Adopted August 2006

1. Introduction

1.1 What it is

1.1.1 This Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) sets out the Council’s policy for involving the public, community and interest groups, developers and landowners as well as statutory consultees in the planning process, both in planning policy and in dealing with planning applications.

1.1.2 It sets out the strategy for making community groups aware of how and when they can become involved in the planning system, identifies the types of groups that need to be involved and ways of involving them effectively. This will be a statutory document, meaning that once this statement is adopted, the Borough Council will be obliged to comply with the requirements for consultation and community engagement that are set out in it and all planning documents will be prepared in accordance with it.

1.1.3 The Borough Council affirms that the proposals set out in this statement are achievable within their budgetary constraints. The proposals are the product of a number of considerations including:

· Community aspirations · The availability of staff and other resources · Central government guidelines · The information needed for inclusive decision making

1.2 The role of the SCI in the Local Development Framework

1.2.1 The preparation of this statement is part of a number of significant changes to the planning system that were introduced by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. Each local authority is now obliged to produce a Local Development Framework (LDF) for its area.

This will consist of several component Local Development Documents: · Local Development Scheme (LDS) (see Glossary) · Statement of Community Involvement · Core Strategy* · Site-Specific Allocations* · Area Action Plans* · Supplementary Planning Documents · Annual Monitoring Report

1.2.2 The asterisked documents, along with the Regional Spatial Strategy for the West Midlands, form the statutory planning framework for Newcastle Borough. Staffordshire County Council deals with minerals and waste policy and planning applications. The County is producing its own Statement of Community Involvement to cover these issues.

1.2.3 Each document is produced separately to suit the needs and purposes of individual authorities. Unlike the previous ‘Local Plan’ system, stakeholder involvement and

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consultation is staggered and forms part of the formulation of each document. The timescales for document production and opportunities for people to get involved are set out in the Local Development Scheme.

1.2.4 There have been certain main aims outlined by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) that all local authorities should attempt to fulfil in terms of their Statement of Community Involvement. These aims will be adapted to the specific local needs of the area.

1.3 What the Statement of Community Involvement will achieve

1.3.1 The main aims that the local authority seeks to achieve through involving people in the development planning process are:

· To gain agreement on the form and content of Local Development Documents. · To streamline the lengthy & controversial examination process. · To achieve meaningful involvement throughout the Local Development Framework process. · To gain a better insight into the demands and needs of communities in the area and enhance community safety. · To use community involvement to help to tackle social exclusion in disadvantaged communities. · To attain effective services through proactive community involvement. · To improve ‘sustainability’ of communities, development and service provision. · To attain high standards of design in land use through proactive community involvement.

1.3.2 It is intended that greater levels of community involvement in the preparation and review of the development plan (see Glossary) and the determination of planning applications will make the planning system in Newcastle more inclusive and accountable.

1.3.3 Communities need to be involved from an early stage in the development of Local Development Documents. This helps to achieve local ownership for policies (see Glossary) that can help to shape an area’s future development.

1.4 Resources Implications

1.4.1 The Council's LDS, adopted in April 2005, states that "LDDs will be prepared in- house by members of the Planning and Housing Strategy team, within the Regeneration and Planning Services department, drawing on other expertise within the Borough Council." This includes all the associated work on community engagement and consultation. The Planning and Housing Strategy Team is responsible for all housing strategy matters as well as planning policy. The LDS also notes the value of the close relationship with the LSP process, which is managed within the same department.

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1.4.2 The team includes four professional planners, including one specifically assigned to Renew work, and these will be involved directly in all stages of preparation of LDDs. In addition, during periods of heightened activity on community engagement, others in the section (notably housing professionals) are available to assist.

1.4.3 The use of consultants is considered as appropriate, where it is thought advantageous to introduce additional specific expertise, or an external view. (This was the case in preparing this SCI.) However, budgets are limited, as in all local authorities, and the proposals in this document have been formulated on the basis of existing resources. Opportunities will be taken to make savings, or use resources more effectively, for instance through sharing consultation and community engagement processes with other service areas, or corporate activities (see reference to the People's Panel in 3.5.14). This would not be done, however, where the value of the consultation and community engagement to the LDD preparation process would be harmed.

1.4.4 Costs arising from consultation, public examinations etc are taken account of in the Council’s annual budgeting process with reference to the LDS.

1.5 How it links with the Community Strategy

1.5.1 Newcastle Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council have both produced Community Strategies, through their respective Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs). These set out key priorities that support the public, private, community and voluntary sectors in acting in a co-ordinated manner.

1.5.2 One of the priorities of the Newcastle-under-Lyme community strategy is that ‘communities should be fully engaged and involved in planning and decision making, resource allocation and service development and delivery.’

1.5.3 The Statement of Community Involvement can contribute to encouraging links between the community strategy and the planning policy process.

1.5.4 The following vision is in conformity with the visions of those two strategies:

‘To enable local people to identify and address their own needs, and to do this by working in partnership with stakeholders and different community sectors. This will allow the planning system to enhance social, economic and environmental conditions in a manner tailored to the requirements and aspirations of local communities, and to contribute more widely to creating a positive future for Newcastle Borough’

1.5.5 Community involvement is a determining factor in ensuring that the Local Development Framework is most effective in improving the quality of life within

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Newcastle Borough. The process enables local communities to play a vital and integral part in the planning system.

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2. Community Involvement in Newcastle-under- Lyme

2.1 Local Conditions

2.1.1 The Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme provides a mixture of urban and rural settlements. There is a large urban area, which sits along the western edge of Stoke on Trent and completes the conurbation. This is a combination of strategic retail and commercial centre, suburbs and a collection of distinctive urban villages. Beyond this, lying largely to the west of the market town of Newcastle is attractive countryside with dispersed rural communities

2.1.2 Over the last 30 years this area of North Staffordshire has experienced a protracted and painful process of structural change which until recently was accelerating. As the economy has declined, local jobs in traditional industries such as ceramics, coal mining and engineering, have largely disappeared and the ability of people, particularly in the more deprived communities, to access new employment can be limited by low aspirations as well as a lack of career opportunities. Within Newcastle this situation, coupled with growing (private) suburbanisation, has resulted in the increasing polarisation of labour and housing markets.

2.1.3 Low earnings and poor health affect the ability of residents to secure affordable, well maintained housing, particularly in the owner occupied sector and within some urban areas this has led to surplus housing and obsolete properties creating unsustainable neighbourhoods. This environment reduces the quality of urban life, and exacerbates the poor image of the area, acting as a major disincentive to investment. Fortunately the economy is moving from a persistent net contraction in employment, to one where the new economy, characterised most visi bly by logistics and distribution, is helping to offset the loss of traditional jobs. In addition the area’s number of significant assets, including its central location straddling the M6 (junctions 15 and 16), large quantities of urban green space, rolling countryside, Keele University and a medical technologies cluster sector, are helping the area to realise its full potential. It is also benefiting from major investment in health care, education and the environment.

2.1.4 In the more deprived wards, there have been a number of regeneration initiatives. Many have involved a great deal of consultation though not always with sufficient feedback. Consultation without benefits or results can cause communities to become disaffected and critical, though in doing so they can also increase the sense of community cohesion. This leads to communities who know what they want, but deprivation, low literacy levels and social exclusion makes it difficult for them to access the resources they need to secure the necessary changes.

2.1.5 In the more affluent wards, there is a danger of exclusion as resources are directed to support those most in need.

2.1.6 Given the need for regeneration, it is critical that people are involved in, and supporting, if not leading changes within their communities.

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2.2 Reaching hard to reach groups

2.2.1 Government guidance has stated that traditionally under-represented groups (e.g. young, elderly, disabled, BME groups) need to be pro-actively approached and fully involved in the planning process.

2.2.2 The following groups have been identified as being potentially hard to reach in Newcastle:

§ Disabled People (including people with physical, sensory and learning disabilities); § People from black and minority ethnic communities; § People with long term illnesses (mental and physical); § Elderly People; § Carers; § Unemployed People; § Employed people on low wages; § Lone Parent Families; § Young People; § Gay and lesbian people; § People who live in rural areas; and § Homeless people.

2.2.3 Individuals and families will experience exclusion for a variety of different reasons. However, it is possible to make some generalisations to help us to develop appropriate and accessible services. The SCI sets out things to consider when developing socially inclusive practices, service planning and service delivery.

2.2.4 The Council will improve the involvement of these groups in the following ways.

· The use of innovative technology, for example interactive web-sites. · Ensuring documents are fully accessible to all groups. For example in Braille, large print, etc where requested. · Working with young people through formal and informal channels. For example, schools/ colleges and youth clubs and other societies. · Ensuring venues are accessible for all. · Actively target actual community members, not just ‘community leaders’. · Where appropriate, work with social services and the medical profession to access hard to reach groups.

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3. Local Development Documents “Local Development Document” is the generic term used to describe all documents produced by the Borough Council that form the LDF. (This SCI does not cover the preparation of the RSS, which is prepared by the Regional Planning Body).

3.1 Who we will be engaging?

3.1.1 The Borough Council is keen to extend opportunities for involvement to everyone who has a desire to take some part in the development planning process. We recognise that many people, whilst having an interest in local affairs, may find the bureaucratic and cumbersome nature of the process both frustrating and off-putting. We do however take a longer-term view and intend to take every opportunity to raise people’s awareness of how development plans are relevant to their concerns and how they can influence the debate that leads to their formulation.

Consultation Datab ase 3.1.2 The Borough Council will be consulting directly with groups and organisations that it keeps on a database for this purpose.

These include: · Local community and voluntary sector groups. · Parish or town councils and neighbouring local authorities. · Local MPs and county councillors. · Locally based statutory bodies and other providers. · Utility and commercial infrastructure provision companies. · Land owners and developers · Government departments or agencies and other statutory bodies (national and regional level). · National and regional non-governmental organisations and interest groups.

3.1.3 A list of statutory consultees and stakeholders for whom we currently hold details for this purpose is included in Appendix A. We will continue to strive to make this database as inclusive as possible. If you wish your group to be added or deleted please inform us.

3.1.4 All of the organisations on the database will be consulted at all stages on Borough- wide documents such as the Core Strategy and Generic Development Control Policies Documents. For Area Action Plans that cover only a limited area, the Council will engage those organisations with an interest in the area and any others who have requested it. Clearly this will change from plan to plan; it would be appropriate to engage a range of commercial and business organisations for a town centre AAP, but possibly not for an AAP for a residential area. Similarly, urban community groups would not automatically be consulted on a document affecting only rural areas. When the Local Development Scheme is revised it will include a list of which bodies and organisations will be consulted on which proposed document.

3.1.5 We are also most keen for individuals who live and work in the Borough to be involved in considering the issues and challenges facing Newcastle in the coming years and to contribute ideas about how they could be addressed.

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3.1.6 Officers welcome opportunities to attend meetings of community and interest groups to explain proposals and draft policies at any stage in the process, to discuss their implications and to take feedback.

3.2 Inclusivity and equality of opportunity

3.2.1 In our endeavour to work in an inclusive manner we will consider the way we deliver the planning service from the perspective of a range of potential users.

We will do this in a number of ways including the following: · Meeting our duties as set out in the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. · Promoting race equality and ensure fairness and equal treatment when carrying out consultation and community engagement. · Providing equal standards of service to disabled people. · Considering the need to offer Braille, large print text, and audio tapes. · Providing language translation as appropriate. · Offering some consultation and community engagement approaches that do not involve writing. · Organising workshop style discussion events structured to maximise involvement opportunities.

3.2.2 Making the service accessible to those who are unfamiliar with the terms, processes and structures of the planning system is always a challenge. We will continuously review the ways we do this and will endeavour to cater for a range of levels of literacy and comprehension and will seek to clarify the relevance of planning to people’s everyday lives.

3.2.3 Section 3.5 sets out how different groups and individuals can get involved.

3.3 What we will be engaging on

3.3.1 The Plans and Strategies that make up the Local Development Framework will focus at a range of levels from the North Staffordshire Core Spatial Strategy (which is joint with Stoke-on-Trent) to detailed intentions for targeted areas within the Borough, and will also contain subject specific policies. The main purpose of these policy documents is to provide a consistent and rational basis for the determination of planning applications.

Development Plan Documents (DPD) (See Glossary) North Staffordshire Core Spatial Strategy (Stoke and Newcastle) 3.3.2 This sets out the vision and strategy for meeting known and anticipated development requirements up until 2021. It will indicate broad requirements and locations to meet them, such as transportation, housing and employment. It will also map out links to how proposals will accord with other strategies.

Site Specific Allocations 3.3.3 This identifies in greater detail the sites allocated to meet the requirements of the Core Spatial Strategy.

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Generic Development Control Policies 3.3.4 This document will set out criteria by which planning applications for the development and use of land will be considered.

Area Action Plans 3.3.5 These targeted and specific plans will focus on areas of regeneration, and/or conservation. The Borough Council is intending to produce the following Area Action Plans during 2005-2008:

· Newcastle Town Centre Action Plan · Knutton and Cross Heath Action Plan · Chesterton Action Plan · Silverdale Action Plan · Galleys Bank and Kidsgrove Town Centre Area Action Plan.

Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD) 3.3.6 These are non-statutory documents that are produced to build on specific policies within Development Plan Documents. They provide important detail relating to specific categories of development and are regarded as ‘material considerations’ in the determination of planning applications.

3.3.7 Only one SPD is envisaged in the next three years. This will set out requirements for Development Contributions to economic development, leisure facilities, infrastructure and affordable housing (as set out in the Local Development Scheme p24).

Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment 3.3.8 In 2001 the EU adopted a Directive that made environmental assessment mandatory for certain plans and programmes from July 2004. The purpose of this Directive is to ensure that the environmental consequences of these plans and programmes are identified and assessed during their preparation and before their adoption.

3.3.9 Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) (see Glossary) will contribute to more transparent planning by involving the public and by integrating environmental considerations, which will help to achieve the goal of sustainable development.

3.3.10 As part of the review of the planning system, the Government has decided to incorporate the requirements of the SEA Directive with its current system of sustainability appraisal (see Glossary).

3.3.11 All LDDs will be accompanied by an assessment of the sustainability implications of implementing the plan. This will identify, describe and evaluate the likely significant environmental, social and economic effects of implementing the plan or programme, and reasonable alternatives taking into account the objectives and the geographical scope of the plan or programme.

3.3.12 Three Sustainability Appraisal documents will be made available for public consultation. The first is a scoping report that sets the parameters of the assessment, identifying sustainability objectives, baseline data sources, and a methodology for the appraisal. This is the first document to be produced and is available at the beginning of the process. It is used to write reports, which

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accompany the preferred options consultation and the submission document. The second considers the impacts of the preferred policy option, and also those that have been rejected. It also considered what would happen if there was no policy at all. The final document, which accompanies the submission development plan document, looks at the sustainability impacts in more detail. Both of these are available for consultation in parallel with the documents they support.

3.4 When we will be consulting

Timescales 3.4.1 The programme for preparing the LDF is set out in the LDS. That may be reviewed but the process and approach set out here will be followed through the programme.

The stages of preparing Development Plan Documents 3.4.2 In general, Development Plan Documents will be prepared through the following process:

Issues and Option Stage 3.4.3 This is a preliminary consultation phase that is of a more ‘informal’ nature. The emphasis at this stage will be on encouraging people to express the issues that they experience in living and working in Newcastle Borough, and ideas they have for how they could be addressed.

3.4.4 The generative, explorative, discursive nature of this stage requires the use of particular approaches, and the adaptation of more generally applicable techniques. This stage provides a more informal platform for discussion, often on a one-to-one basis and provides a good way for those members of the community who are less happy with providing written responses to put their views across.

3.4.5 At this stage, the specific consultation bodies and appropriate general consultation bodies will be notified of the intention to prepare a DPD and the area it will cover. This information will influence the approach that the Council will take to deliver the Development Plan Document.

Duration of consultation period: minimum of six weeks.

Preferred Options Stage 3.4.6 The preferred option stage is where the Council sets out its preferred policy options along with alternative options that have been considered. It is effectively the presentation of a “draft plan”. Discussion papers will be prepared as appropriate detailing pros and cons of different options.

3.4.7 The Borough Council will consult on the plan in a more ‘formal’ manner. Comments submitted at this stage need to be in writing, and are known as representations. They will be filed and may be viewed by members of the public. Once received comments have been considered, a final draft will be approved or amended by Council prior to submitting it to the Secretary of State for approval.

Duration of consultation period: six weeks.

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Submission Stage 3.4.8 Once the document is submitted along with accompanying representations, copies of the document are made available for statutory consultees and members of the public for six weeks. At this stage further representations can be made which will be passed to the planning inspectorate. Once received and comments have been considered, a final draft will be prepared for approval or amendment by the Council, prior to submitting it to the Secretary of State for examination by an independent planning inspector.

3.4.9 The Planning Inspectorate will then hold an Independent Examination at which the representations made will be considered.

Adoption 3.4.10 Having considered all the representations made, the Planning Inspector will decide what the plan should say. The decision of the Inspector is binding. The Council will receive the Inspector’s report, make the appropriate changes and adopt the plan at which point it will become part of the statutory development plan.

Figure 1: Development Plan Document Process (from ODPM PPS 12)

The stages of preparing Supplementary Planning Documents

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3.4.11 In general, Supplementary Planning Documents will be prepared through the following process:

Pre-Production 3.4.12 Informal consultation will be undertaken from the outset of the process, prior to, and during, the production of the initial draft. This will tend to involve those organisations and individuals with a specific interest in the content of particular SPDs.

Public Participation on Draft SPD 3.4.13 This is where the Council will formally consult on the draft SPD that it has produced. This will last for a period of between four and six weeks.

3.4.14 Comments submitted at this stage need to be in writing, and are known as representations. They will be filed and may be viewed by members of the public. All representations will be taken into consideration, and used to inform the final version of the SPD.

Adoption 3.4.15 SPDs, unlike DPDs, do not have to be submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination. Therefore, once all representations have been considered and the SPD has been finalised in light of these, it will be adopted by the Council.

3.5 How people can get involved

3.5.1 As a general principle, the Borough Council believes that there need to be numerous options to ensure that consultation and community engagement are far reaching across all sectors of the community.

3.5.2 It also recognises that consultation and community engagement methods need to be regularly monitored to ensure that the methods being used are most the most appropriate for the setting.

3.5.3 A consensus on planning issues will be sought. However, planning is often about conflict and this is not always possible. Although representations will always be taken into account, sometimes the Council will choose not to make changes in accordance with representations. This may be because two conflicting changes have been requested which cannot both be accommodated, or because the representation conflicts with national or regional guidance or the overall aim of the development plan. Following the preferred options consultation the Council will produce a schedule of representations received. This will list the comments made and whether or not the Council has made a modification on the basis of the representation. Reasons will be given for the Council’s response.

Development Plan Documents 3.5.4 For all planning documents, there will be a combination of notification and active engagement. The Council will notify all identified statutory consultees and stakeholders when documents are made available. These bodies will be invited to submit comments in writing either by letter, e-mail or fax. Set out below is a list and brief description of the tools available to the Council to involve the community in

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the development planning process. At the end of the section is a table showing which tools will be used routinely at each stage of production for each document.

Internet 3.5.5 The Council’s Website will specify documents being produced, and their purpose. The site will flag up particular issues for discussion that will help to demonstrate the areas being considered and prompt people’s thinking. The site will offer a range of ways to contribute including a questionnaire and an e-mail comments link.

Letter 3.5.6 Consultees and individuals who have previously commented on LDF documents and given their full contact details will be sent information about the process, how draft documents can be viewed, and how they can make representations at each stage.

Advertisements/Notification 3.5.7 Due to the complex nature of the new Local Development Framework it is imperative that the Borough Council keep stakeholders up to date with when different Development Plan Documents are being produced and when an involvement opportunity exists. People need to have sufficient notice in order to make arrangements to enable them to attend meetings, exhibitions, etc. Notification therefore needs to be made before the consultation period begins and needs to detail the itinerary of events and opportunities to contribute.

3.5.8 Stakeholders will be notified of significant stages in the process through the following means:

· The Council’s Website · Local Press Notices · The Council’s newspaper. The ‘Reporter’ is a free publication that is distributed to every household in the Borough five times a year · Notices in public buildings.

Local Press 3.5.9 We will work with local newspapers to ensure that there are articles about the documents being produced and the implications for the Borough.

The Reporter 3.5.10 The Council’s quarterly newsletter The ‘Reporter’ is a free publication that is distributed to every household in the Borough five times a year. This bulletin will contain regular articles spelling out the process, its relevance, progress reports and feedback on the types of comments and the influence that public involvement is having on the formulation of the documents.

Parish Councils and Local Neighbourhood Forums 3.5.11 These grouped generally comprise community leaders and champions. They therefore provide a critical point of contact for representing community views. They will be notified of the preparation of all documents and provided with copies.

Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) 3.5.12 The LSP is a key partner in planning ahead for the people of Newcastle Borough. The LSP has a number of groups and forums that will be invited to take part at this

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stage. These include the Newcastle Communities Forum, the Voluntary Sector Forum, the Board, the Partnership Operational Group (POG), and Theme and Cross Cutting Issues Groups. The most appropriate arrangements will be agreed with the POG on a document-by-document basis.

3.5.13 Such groups, which have developed their capacity to work together, are well placed to discuss problems and issues. The LSP is ideally suited to the role of feeding into thinking, from the knowledge it holds of the needs of different sectors of the community, into the development planning process. It is also very well placed to disseminate information out through its many networks.

People’s Panel 3.5.14 This panel consists of six hundred local people who as a whole reflect the demographic profile of the Borough’s adult population. They are consulted quarterly on a range of service provision related issues. The Borough Council will make use of the panel as and when it is available, to gauge public opinion regarding issues relating to relevant Local Development Documents.

Summary Leaflets 3.5.15 When an Area Action Plan is being produced leaflets with enclosed questionnaire/comments slip will be sent to all relevant households. This will also detail the range of ways that people can get involved.

Exhibitions 3.5.16 The locations of these will depend on the nature of the Development Plan Documents being consulted on. For documents such as Area Action Plans, which focus on a targeted geographic areas, staffed exhibitions will be held within that area at varying times of the day and evening to accommodate patterns of work, childcare, shopping and other day to day activities.

3.5.17 The venues will be carefully chosen in order to afford widest access. In addition to the village halls, community centres, libraries, shopping malls, schools, and council offices that have been used in the past it is intend to explore the use of less institutional venues. These would include supermarkets, leisure centres, shopping malls, cinema foyers, etc. Attendance at pre-arranged events like the Annual Civic Open Day, Local Shows or Fun Days will also be used where the timings make this appropriate. This may enable access to a wider range and number of people, whilst also helping the Borough Council convey to people that there are direct links between their personal aspirations and planning policy decisions.

3.5.18 When exhibitions are staffed they will be made interactive where possible. There will be less writing necessary for those who are less confident expressing themselves in this way. We shall also gain such information from completed questionnaires.

3.5.19 Other involvement opportunities will publicised and where people have given full contact details they will be informed later in the process what has been the outcome of their involvement.

Business Panel 3.5.20 This standing group was formed with the purpose of contributing to policy formulation and review. The Borough Council will continue to make full use of it in maintaining its awareness of the needs and perspectives of the business community.

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Presentations 3.5.21 Council staff will organise presentations to groups such as neighbourhood forums, Parish Councils and public meetings depending on the nature and scope of the document being prepared. Officers will consider requests for such presentations from groupings within the community. Considerations will include the numbers of people likely to attend, the intensity of issues being addressed, and the staffing and resources implications at any particular point in time.

Focus Groups/Workshops 3.5.22 Depending on the function and implications of individual documents, the Borough Council will hold focus group workshops which are directed towards specific objectives and actions. These will be structured in ways to allow equal opportunity to contribute and are likely to contain small group work that is more conducive to cooperative working.

3.5.23 Likely groups would include:

· Community/Voluntary Sector · Council Members/Officers · Developers · Service Providing Agencies

Community Conference 3.5.24 When preparing an Area Action Plan the Borough Council will consider the appropriateness of holding a workshop event where local residents, and locally focussed service providers can meet to address specific local issues. Such an arena will provide an opportunity for local residents to increase their awareness of who is responsible for what in their neighbourhood, to draw out the spatial elements of service delivery issues and proposals, and to foster joint working. It is envisaged that the LSP may wish to be involved in such an event.

Placecheck 3.5.25 Placecheck is a community led method of assessing the qualities of a place. It shows what improvements are needed and focuses upon people working together to achieve them. A Placecheck consists of a checklist that has 3 parts. The first part has 3 simple questions to get people thinking about the key issues in their area. The second part sets out 15 more questions, these questions refer more specifically to issues about the people and the place. Finally, there is a third part that contains more than 100 very detailed questions. These questions cover specific topic areas like social inclusion, current mechanisms in place for change, design, public spaces and pollution to name but a few. The result of this process is that people find out very specific issues that are of most importance to improve their particular area. It also ensures a strong sense of public ownership.

Interactive Master planning 3.5.26 This is a public forum that explores in physical design terms the options available for improving an area. The process is incremental with layout options being developed over a series of workshops. These sessions can be structured informally with people dropping-in to make contributions.

3.5.27 It has been the Borough Council’s experience that this approach is of value in Areas of Major Intervention, where the need for regeneration will necessitate considerable change, possibly including compulsory purchase and demolition.

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Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD) 3.5.28 As a non-statutory advisory document it is not necessary to subject the formulation of SPD to same scale of consultation or community engagement as DPDs. Nor are SPDs subject to Independent Examination. Consultation and community engagement will be undertaken with organisations and individuals with a specific interest in the content of particular SPDs. The intention to consult on and publish SPDs will be set out in the rolling work programme (Local Development Scheme) that enables groups and individuals to register their interest in the document. The Council will ensure that it enables stakeholder involvement in line with the Regulations.

3.6 What we will do with your comments

3.6.1 As well as engaging the community, there also needs to be a mechanism established for reporting back to the community with feedback on the consultation and community engagement process. As part of the consultation and community engagement process, the Borough Council is committed to reporting back to those who submit comments. In addition there is a desire to keep people up to date with progress.

3.6.2 Officers will be maintaining a database of written comments received and an indication of how they have influenced policy development.

3.6.3 Methods of reporting back will include committee reports, the website and letters to representees. Information may also be included in press releases and the Reporter.

17 Newcastle-Under-Lyme B.C Statement of Community Involvement Adopted August 2006

Figure 2: Community Engagement Techniques used at each stage of Development Plan Document Preparation

Issues & Options Preferred Options Submission

Core Strategy AAPs SCI Generic DC policies Core Strategy AAPs SCI Generic DC policies Core Strategy AAPs SCI Generic DC policies Internet X X X X X X X X X X X X Letter X X X X X X X X X X X X Advertisements/No X X X X X X X X tification Local Press X X X X X X X X X X X X The Reporter X X X X X X X X X X X X Parish Councils and X X X X X X X X X X X X Local Neighbourhood Forums Local Strategic X X X X X X X X X X X X Partnership (LSP) People’s Panel X X X Summary Leaflets X X X X X X X Exhibitions X X X X X X X X Business Panel X X X Presentations X X X X X X X X X X X X Focus X X X X X X X Groups/Workshops Community X X X Conference Interactive Master X X X planning

18 Newcastle-Under-Lyme B.C Statement of Community Involvement Adopted August 2006

4. Development Control

4.1 Introduction

4.1.1 Newcastle Borough Council deals with approximately 1300 planning applications each year. These cover everything from minor householder developments such as porches, listed building applications for repairs, through to major applications covering many hectares for industrial estates and new highway infrastructure. Applications dealing with quarrying and mineral processing and with waste disposal facilities such as landfill sites or incinerators are dealt with by Staffordshire County Council.

4.1.2 Newcastle Borough Council’s policy on consulting on planning applications conforms to the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995.

4.2 What we will do at pre-application stage

4.2.1 When the Borough Council is approached by a potential applicant who is considering a significant development proposal they will be encouraged to engage in discussions with specific specialist bodies, such as the highway authority, the county council, etc, before submitting an application. This enables issues to be identified early in the process and avoid rushing the application into a forced decision which may later languish in an over burdened appeals procedure.

4.2.2 Where relevant the potential applicant will also be encouraged to consult more widely to include community and voluntary sector groups along with individual residents. This consultation is not obligatory, and the Council cannot stipulate how it is carried out. However failure to consult may result in objections that will be considered in determining the application. Pre-application consultation is most likely to be appropriate for large or controversial applications, but this would be determined through discussions between the applicant and the Council, on a case- by-case basis.

4.2.3 The issue of commercial sensitivity will be addressed, though the planning service can rarely guarantee confidentiality to potential applicants due to the Freedom of Information Act. It is felt that this is unlikely to hamper the development process in a way that is contrary to the public interest.

4.3 What we will do when an application is registered

4.3.1 Once a valid application is received the Borough Council is required to determine an ordinary application within eight weeks, a major application (e.g. Proposing ten or more houses) within 13 weeks, and an application requiring an Environmental Statement within 16 weeks unless the applicant agrees to an extension of time.

4.3.2 The receipt of a valid application initiates a consultation phase consisting of publicising the application and telling people how they can comment. The Council will notify consultees by letter, giving them 21 days, or 28 days in the case of a planning application potentially affecting a SSSI or in a SSSI consultation area*, in

19 Newcastle-Under-Lyme B.C Statement of Community Involvement Adopted August 2006

which to comment. This period commences on the day that a consultation letter is sent out.

*In accordance with Section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended by Section 75 and Schedule 9 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

4.3.3 Anyone is entitled to comment, however representations must be made in a written format. These are then placed on the file and are open to public inspection. Help can be provided with writing representations

4.3.4 If an application is to be determined by the planning committee, all parties who have made comments will be notified and are able to attend, but are not at liberty to address the meeting.

4.4 How people can be involved

Finding Information 4.4.1 The Borough Council makes information available about registered applications in the following ways:

The Weekly List 4.4.2 This is a list of all valid applications received within any week and is sent out to anyone who requests it. It can be received in paper or e-mail format. It is also available on the council’s website, which is how the majority of users now access it.

Newspaper Notices 4.4.3 The following types of applications are advertised in the local newspaper, ‘The Sentinel’:

· ‘Major Developments’, e.g. ten houses or more (defined in Glossary). · Developments affecting listed buildings and conservation areas · Those accompanied by an Environmental Statement. · Those that represent a departure from adopted Council policy.

4.4.4 The notice will specify where plans can be viewed and the deadline for submission of comments.

Site Notices 4.4.5 The Borough Council posts site notices informing people of the nature of the proposal, where plans can be viewed, and when comments need to be received by. These are used for all applications that require a newspaper advert or that are not ‘minor’. Minor is defined in the glossary but is for example, anything up to 10 dwellings and householder extensions.

Neighbour Notification 4.4.6 In the case of proposals for minor development (see Glossary) and householder applications the Borough Council notifies occupiers of premises with a common boundary with the site. In some instances it may be deemed appropriate to write to other neighbouring occupiers, at the discretion of the case officers.

20 Newcastle-Under-Lyme B.C Statement of Community Involvement Adopted August 2006

Notification of Statutory Development Control Consultees 4.4.7 These consultees are able to provide specific technical advice or register statutory objections to proposed developments. Appendix B details these consultees.

Parish and Town Councils 4.4.8 These councils are sent a copy of submitted applications along with plans to enable them to fully consider the proposals.

Inspection of Planning Applications 4.4.9 Applications and their accompanying plans are made available for inspection at the Civic Offices, Merrial Street, Newcastle, during normal office hours, from 9am to 5pm. Appointments can be made for the case officer to be available to assist in interpreting plans and answering queries.

4.4.10 The Council’s website now offers Public Access, an online tool which allows users to search for planning applications, and track their progress.

Making representations: 4.4.11 Representations about any of these applications should be made in writing to the Head of Regeneration and Planning Services (unless otherwise stated) or by e-mail to [email protected]

4.4.12 It is also possible to make comments on the internet using the public access system on the Council’s website.

4.4.13 If a planning application is to be determined by the Planning Committee, the committee report will include a summary of the representations received to allow the committee members to take them into account when determining the application.

4.4.14 The Council has recently considered its policy on public speaking at planning committee and concluded that at present, it should not be allowed. However, the Council has undertaken to review this policy and consider ways in which public speaking at committee could be resourced.

4.4.15 If an application is to be determined by officers using powers delegated to them by the planning committee, representations are similarly summarised in the report prepared under the scheme of delegation. These reports are available on request.

4.5 What happens once an application has been determined

Notification of Decision 4.5.1 Once an application has been determined, the Borough Council will notify all those who have submitted written comments.

4.5.2 A list of applications which have determined by officers under delegated powers is available to view on the website. If the application has been approved the notification will indicate any conditions that have been attached to the permission.

21 Newcastle-Under-Lyme B.C Statement of Community Involvement Adopted August 2006

Enforcement 4.5.3 If anyone suspects that these conditions are not being adhered to they can notify the Borough Council and the matter will be further investigated. This is dealt with in confidence.

Appeals 4.5.4 An appeal on a planning application can be made if an applicant is dissatisfied with the decision made by the Borough Council or if the eight-week time limit for determination is exceeded without the applicant’s consent. Only the person who made the application can appeal against the decision. An appeal must be lodged by six months from the date an application was determined. Where an appeal is against non-determination, the appeal must be lodged 6 months from date by which the application should have been determined, or from a date agreed with the applicant for an extension of time.

4.5.5 During an appeal comments can be made by the general public, which will be considered during the appeal process. Comments must be made in writing to the Planning Inspectorate. If an appeal is determined by a hearing or public inquiry the public will be given the opportunity to present their case verbally to the inspector.

22 Newcastle-Under-Lyme B.C Statement of Community Involvement Adopted August 2006

5. What Happens Next with the Statement of Community Involvement

5.1 The process of adoption

5.1.1 The SCI has been submitted to the Secretary of State for an Independent Examination, to assess its soundness. There is also a period of 6 weeks during which time people can make representations.

5.1.2 In assessing whether the SCI is ‘sound’ the inspector will determine whether the:

· Council has complied with the minimum requirements for consultations. · Council’s Strategy for Community Involvement links with other community involvement initiatives e.g. The Community Strategy. · Statement identifies in general terms which local community groups and other bodies will be consulted. · Statement identifies how the community and other bodies can be involved in a timely and accessible manner. · Methods of consultation to be employed are suitable for the intended audience and for the different stages in the preparation of local development documents. · Resources are available to manage community involvement effectively. · Statement shows how the results of community involvement will be fed in to the preparation of development plan documents and supplementary planning documents. · Authority has mechanisms for reviewing the Statement of Community Involvement. · Statement clearly describes the planning authority’s policy for consultation on planning applications.

5.1.3 The Inspector’s report will be binding on the Council, which must adopt the SCI as changed by the Inspector’s Report unless the Secretary of State intervenes. Once adopted the SCI will form part of the Council’s LDF. Community engagement for all other Development Plan Documents and Planning Applications will have to be undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the SCI.

5.2 Review Mechanisms for the Statement of Community Involvement

5.2.1 As required under the regulations, the Statement of Community Involvement will be monitored through the Annual Monitoring Report to ensure that it remains relevant and effective and that it adapts to changes occurring in the local area. If as a result of this regular monitoring, the Council decides that amendments to the content of the SCI need to be made to improve it, eg in terms of proposed methods of involvement used, or regulations are altered affecting development control requirements, the Council will amend the SCI.

5.2.2 The SCI will be monitored through the Annual Monitoring Report. For development plans, this will look at the level of representations, their appropriateness and the methods of consultation used. Where comments are unhelpful, misdirected or low in

23 Newcastle-Under-Lyme B.C Statement of Community Involvement Adopted August 2006 number, the Council will review its consultation and community engagement mechanisms. Where this cannot be done within the parameters of the existing SCI, the SCI will be revised following the process set out in the SCI.

24 Newcastle-Under-Lyme B.C Statement of Community Involvement Adopted August 2006

6. Getting Help With Planning Matters

6.1 Planning Aid

6.1.1 Planning Aid is a service providing free, independent and professional advice for people who cannot afford the services of planning consultants. This allows it to play a vital role in terms of securing effective and comprehensive community engagement. It offers two main services: free and independent casework from a qualified planner; and community planning activities, including training, information and facilitation for groups about how planning may be affecting their communities.

6.1.2 Planning Aid can assist in the following ways: · Increasing people’s understanding of the planning system; · Allowing people to participate in plan preparation; · Enabling people to prepare plans for their own communities; · Helping people comment on planning applications; · Helping people to apply for planning permission, or appeal against refusal of permission; and · Helping people represent themselves at public inquiries.

6.1.3 Planning Aid is run by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) at a regional level. West Midlands Planning Aid service can be contacted in the following ways:

By post: Sue Griffith-Jones MRTPI (Regional Co-ordinator) RTPI West Midlands Unit 319 The Custard Factory Gibb Street Birmingham B9 4AA

By phone: 0121 7091599

Or by email: [email protected]

More information about Planning Aid can also be found at www.planningaid.rtpi.org.uk

6.2 Planning Consultants

6.2.1 Planning consultancies (not to be confused with public consultation) provide professional advice and services in relation to all areas of planning work. The ones listed below have offices within Staffordshire:

Burton

Peter Diffey and Associates

25 Newcastle-Under-Lyme B.C Statement of Community Involvement Adopted August 2006

Leek

Hulme Upright Manning

Lichfield

CT Planning Smiths Gore

Stafford

Phillips Planning Services Ltd

Stoke-on-Trent

Harris Lamb Planning Consultancy Hulme Upright Manning Kent Jones and Done

6.2.2 Contact details for the above, a well as others within the West Midlands, can be found at http://www.rtpiconsultants.co.uk/auto/regionlist/9.html

26 Newcastle-Under-Lyme B.C Statement of Community Involvement Adopted August 2006

APPENDIX A – DEVELOPMENT PLAN CONSULTATION BODIES

SPECIFIC CONSULTATION BODIES

Adjoining Planning Authorities Government Agencies / Departments Cheshire County Council Advantage West Midlands Congleton Borough Council British Geological Survey (BGS) Crewe & Nantwich Borough Council British Waterways North Shropshire District Council Civil Aviation Authority Shropshire County Council Stafford Borough Commission for Architecture and Built Council Environment (CABE) Staffordshire County Council Connexions Staffordshire Moorlands District Council Countryside Agency - West Midlands Crown Stoke-on-Trent City Council Estate Commissioners Defence Estates Elected Representatives Department for Culture Media & Sport All Borough Councillors Department for Education & Skills Bill Cash MP Department for Environment, Food & Rural Charlotte Atkins MP Affairs (DEFRA) Department for Transport Paul Farrelly MP (through GOWM) Department of Constitutional Affairs Newcastle Borough Parish Councils Department of Health Audley Parish Council Department of Trade and Industry Betley Parish Council Department of Work and Pensions Chapel and Hill Chorlton Parish Council District Valuer English Heritage - West Keele Parish Council Kidsgrove Parish Council Midlands Region Loggerheads Parish Council English Nature Madeley Parish Council English Partnerships Maer Parish Council Environment Agency - Midlands Region, Silverdale Parish Council Upper Trent Area Whitmore Parish Council Environment Agency - North West Region Forestry Commission - West Midlands Adjoining Parish Councils Government Office for the West Midlands Barthomley Parish Council H M Prison Services Health and Safety Biddulph Town Parish Council Executive - Hazardous Installations Division Cheswardine Parish Council Highways Agency Doddington and District Parish Council Home Office (through GOWM) Eccleshall Parish Council Knutton/Cross Heath NMI Hough & Chorlton Parish Council Ministry of Defence Market Drayton Parish Council Newcastle Police Norton in Hales Parish Council Northwest Regional Development Agency Odd Rode Parish Council Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Standon Parish Council Renew North Staffordshire Sutton Upon Tern Parish Council Royal Commission on Historic Buildings Sport Swynnerton Parish Council England - West Midlands Region Weston & Basford Parish Council Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service Woore Parish Council Staffordshire Police Staffordshire Probation Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) The Coal Authority The Planning Inspectorate Valuation Office West Midlands Regional Assembly

27 Newcastle-Under-Lyme B.C Statement of Community Involvement Adopted August 2006

Statutory Undertakers Statutory Undertakers (cont) Bradwell Hospital NPower British Gas PLC NTLNynex Cablecomms British Gas West Midlands O2 Ltd British Pipeline Agency Ltd. Orange British Telecommunications Plc PCT Central Networks Pipeline Management Ltd. Energis Communications Ltd. Post Office General Electricity Generating Board PowerGen plc Hutchinson 3G UK Ltd Severn Trent Water Ltd. MANWEB Staffs Moorlands PCT Mid Staffordshire Health Authority Sustrans (Midlands) National Grid Company plc The National Grid Company plc - North West National Power plc Area Newcastle-under-Lyme PCT The National Grid Company plc - NRSWA NHS Executive - West Midlands Enquiries North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare T-Mobile UK Ltd NHS Trust Transco North Staffordshire Health Authority United Utilities - External Planning Liaison North Staffordshire Hospital Trust Virgin Mobile Vodafone Ltd

28 Newcastle-Under-Lyme B.C Statement of Community Involvement Adopted August 2006

GENERAL CONSULTATION BODIES

Environmental / Amenity Groups The Society for the Protection of Ancient Ancient Monuments Society Buildings Arts Council West Midlands The Victorian Society Association for Industrial Archaeology Trent and Mersey Canal Society British Trust for Conservation Volunteers Trent Valley Protection Society British Wind Energy Association Twentieth Century Society Campaign for the Protection of Rural England UK RIGS Canals Regeneration Group University of Keele Centre for Accessible Environment Urban Vision North Staffordshire Coalfields Regeneration Trust West Midland Bird Club Commission for Architecture & Built West Midlands Arts Environment West Midlands Environment Network Council for the Protection of Rural England West Midlands Planning Aid (CPRE) – Staffs Woodland Trust Culture West Midlands Worldwide Fund for Nature Environmental Services Association Transport Groups Farming and Rural Conservation Agency Arriva Midlands North Ltd Fight Landfill Action Group (FLAGS) Central Trains Ltd Forestry Enterprise ( West Mids Forest CENTRO District) Cross Country Trains Ltd. Friends of the Earth - North Staffordshire English, Welsh and Scottish Railways (EWS) Garden History Society First City Ltd Greenpeace First PMT Inland Waterways Association Freight Transport Association Keele University Freightliner Group Madeley Conservation Group Great Western Trains Company Ltd Maer Hills Protection Group Inland Waterways Association (Lichfield National Memorial Arboretum Branch) National Trust LARA Motor Sports Facilities Unit Newcastle Civic Society Lichfield Rail Promotion Group Newcastle College Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority Newcastle Countryside Project Network Rail Newcastle Town Centre Association North Staffordshire Rail Forum North Staffordshire Bridleways Association North Staffordshire Rail Promotion Open Spaces Society North West Regional Railway Ltd. Peak and Northern Footpaths Society Northern Rail Ltd Potteries and Newcastle Urban Wildlife Group Rail Freight Group Ramblers' Association Rail Passenger Council (Midlands) Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Railtrack Midlands (RSPB) Railtrack Property Society for Protection of Ancient Buildings Road Haulage Association Staffordshire Bat Group Shropshire Union Canal Society Staffordshire Historic Buildings Trust Sustrans Staffordshire Industrial Archaeology Transport 2000, Staffordshire Staffordshire RIGS Group Virgin Trains West Coast Staffordshire University WS Atkins Transportation Engineering Staffordshire Wildlife Trust Staffs and Cheshire Barn Owl Conservation Project Sustainable Staffordshire Forum The Ancient Monuments Society The Civic Trust The Council for British Archaeology The Garden History Society The Georgian Group

29 Newcastle-Under-Lyme B.C Statement of Community Involvement Adopted August 2006

General General (continued ) Advisory Council for the Education of North Staffordshire Trades Council Romanies and Other Travellers North Staffordshire Trades Union Council (ACERT) NSPCC Arch (North Staffs) Ltd Post Office Property Holdings Aspire Housing Potteries Housing Association Beth Johnson Housing Group Prime Focus Biffa Waste Services Ltd Property Services Agency British Astronomical Association Regional Housing Partnership British Chemical Distributors and Traders Royal Mail Group Association Royal Mail Property Holdings British Gliding Association RSPB Local Group British Holiday and Homes Parks Association Sport England British Horse Society Staffordshire Business and Environment British Motorcycle Federation Network Campaign for Real Ale Staffordshire Enterprise Chamber of Centre for Ecology and Hydrology Commerce Choices Housing Association Staffordshire Family Practitioner Committee Civil Aviation Authority Staffordshire Housing Association Confederation of British Industry (Staffs) Staffordshire Parish Councils Association Consignia (Legal Services) Staffordshire Playing Fields Association Country Land & Business Association Staffordshire RIGS Group County Sports Partnership The Gypsy Council Crown Estate Commissioners The Sentinel Cyclists Touring Club Touchstone Housing Association Directorate of Health Promotion Tourism West Midlands Disability Rights Commission West Midlands Regional Housing Board Disabled Persons Transport Advisory C’tee Women’s National Commission Employment Service Newcastle Borough Libraries English Golf Union Audley Library English Tourism Council Clayton Library F Proctor & Sons Coaches Kidsgrove Library Focus Housing Association Knutton Library Georgain Group Loggerheads Library Gingerbread Newcastle Library Gypsy and Traveller Reform Coalition Silverdale Library Health & Safety Executive Talke Library House Builders Federation Wolstanton Library Home Start Housing Corporation Developers InStaffs (UK) Ltd Ancer Spa (Midlands) Ltd Keele Golf Centre Commercial Development Projects Keynote (Touchstone) J S Bloor (Services) Ltd & Millwood Ltd Kidsgrove and District Chamber of Trade Land Improvement Holdings Plc MENCAP Redbourn Group plc MIND North Staffs (Housing) National Housing Federation National Playing Fields Association National Radiological Protection Board National Schizophrenia Fellowship New Vic Theatre Newcastle and District Trades Council North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce North Staffordshire Field Club North Staffordshire Landlords Association North Staffordshire LIFT Project North Staffordshire Society of Architects North Staffordshire Tourism Association

30 Newcastle-Under-Lyme B.C Statement of Community Involvement Adopted August 2006

Other Local Community Groups Planning Consultants Access for the Disabled Committee A C Robinson & Associates Age Concern Adams Holmes Associates Asian Cultural Centre AGP Architects Ltd Betley Reading Room Allan Moss Associates Birmingham Diocesan Trust Atkins British Red Cross B Blakeman Business in the Environment Barnett Ratcliffe Partnership Chesterton Community Forum Barrie Newcombe Associates Church Commissioners Barton Willmore Planning Citizens Advice Bureau Christoper Taylor Design Ltd Clayton and Burslem United Reformed Church Cliff Walsingham & Company Commission for Racial Equality DTZ Pieda Consulting Community Council of Staffordshire Ellis Hillman Partnership Council for Voluntary Services Emery Planning Partnership Disability Solutions Forshaw Greaves & Partners Fifty and Over County Team GVA Grimley Groundwork Stoke-on-Trent Harris Lamb Heart of England Baptist Association Hayes & Partners Help The Aged Hepher Dixon Hindu Cultural Centre Hulme Upright Islamic Cultural Centre John Dalkin Associates Islamic Educational and Community Centre Jonathan Hendry Architects Ltd Kidsgrove Environmental Watch Response Jones & Payne Partnership Lichfield Diocesan Office JPK Design Madeley & District Community Association JSP Architects National Farmers Union (Midlands) Lambert Smith Hampton National Farmers Union (North West) Malcolm Judd & Partners Newcastle CAB Malcolm Lewis Architect Ltd Newcastle Churches Together McDyre & Co Newcastle CVS Panton Sergant North Staffordshire Racial Equality Council Peacock and Smith PARINS Picea Design Ltd Parksite Action Group Piercy Design Refugee Council Smith Stuart Reynolds Salvation Army Spawforth Associates Silverdale Information Centre Symonds Silverdale Newcastle-under-Lyme Vision Tarpey Barrett Associates Steering Group Taylor Young Staffordshire Blind Service Tetlow King Planning Staffordshire Buddies TFA Architects Staffordshire Federation of Women’s Institute The Fairhursts Design Group Staffordshire LSC The JTS Partnership Stoke YMCA The Planning Bureau The Community Council of Stafford The Planning Consultancy The Lyme Trust Wardell Armstrong The Saltbox Christian Centre Westwood Knowles The Salvation Army White Young Green Consulting Ltd The Woodlands Trust WM Saunders Partnership Thistleberry Residents Association Wood Goldstraw & Yorath Underwood Road Action Group Westbury & Clayton Youth Club

31 Newcastle-Under-Lyme B.C Statement of Community Involvement Adopted August 2006

th and Safety Executive Staffordshire County Council) Heal Secretary of State for Transport (through GOWM), or the operator of the rail network in question Local highway authority (Staffordshire County Council) Local highway authority (Staffordshire County Council) Local highway authority ( and, in the case of a road subject to a concession, the concessionaire Consultee

ste applications) by the Health

ease in the volume of traffic, or a

of any means access to a

fice floorspace;

CONSULTEES: PLANNING APPLICATIONS

–

in the character of traffic, entering or leaving a classified road Residential accommodation; More than 250 sq m of retail floorspace; More than 500 sq m of More than 750 sq m of floorspace to be used for an industrial process; or Entering or leaving a trunk road; Using a level crossing over motorway The formation, laying out or alteration highway, other than a trunk road; or The construction of a highway or private means access to premises affording access to a road in relation which toll order is force

· · · · · · · · APPENDIX B 1. Description of Development Development within an area which has been notified to the Borough Council (or the County Council, regarding minerals and wa and Safety Executive as containing toxic, highly reactive, explosive or inflammable substances and which involves the provision of: Which is likely to result in a material increase the number of people working within or visiting the notified area Development likely to result in a material incr material change in the character of traffic: Development likely to result in a material increase the volume of traffic, or material change or proposed highway Development likely to prejudice the improvement or construction of a classified road or proposed highway Development involving:

32 Newcastle-Under-Lyme B.C Statement of Community Involvement Adopted August 2006

e CC)

s) Local highway authority (Staffordshir Coal Authority English Heritage English Heritage Garden History Society Environment Agency Environment Agency English Nature Theatres Trust Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (through Government Office for the West Midland Consultee

s e with the

operations in the bed of or on

2, or 3a agricultural land which is

orough Council lish Nature, in accordance with the Wildlife and

hat, if carried out, would be likely to result in harm a protected species or its In or likely to affect a site of special scientific interest which notification has been given to the Borough Council by Eng Countryside Act 1981; or Within an area which has been notified to the Borough Council by English Nature, and which is in 2 km of a site special scientific interest notification has been given; T habitat (para.98, Circular 06/2005) The loss of not less than 20 Ha grades 1, 2, or 3a agricultural land which is currently being used, or was last for agricultural purposes; The loss of not less than 20 Ha grades 1, currently being used, or was last for agricultural purposes, in circumstances which the development is likely to lead a further loss of agricultural land amounting cumulatively to 20 Ha or more

· · · · · 2. Description of Development Development which consists of or includes the laying out construction a new street Development which involves the provision of a building or pipeline in an area coal working notified by the Coal Authority to B Development likely to affect the site of a scheduled monument Development likely to affect a garden or park of special historic interest which is registered in accordance with the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953 which i classified as Grade I or II* Development likely to affect a garden or park of special historic interest which is registered in accordance with the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953 Development involving the carrying out of works or banks of a river or stream Development relating to the use of land as a cemetery Development: Development involving any land on which there is a theatre Development which is not for agricultural purposes and in accordanc provisions of the development plan, and involves:

33 Newcastle-Under-Lyme B.C Statement of Community Involvement Adopted August 2006

Society Consultee Environment Agency Environment Agency English Heritage Secretary of State (through Government Office for the West Midlands) Ancient Monuments Society Council for British Archaeology Georgian Group Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings Victorian Secretary of State (through Government Office for the West Midlands) English Heritage English Heritage Secretary of State (through Government Office for the West Midlands) Sport England Advantage West Midlands

those

regional investment or

ing of Grade I and II* listed

o the LPA and which is likely to have a

nt for the purposes of fish farming

ment within 250 m of land which: l external wall of the principal building, or demolition Involves or is likely to affect the provision of an existing proposed strategic infrastructure project of which notification has been given t significant impact upon a policy in the RDA’s strategy; or Is within an area of which notification has been given to the LPA for the purpose of this provision and is likely to affect implementation of a strategic employment policy in the RDA’s strategy Is or has, at any time in the 30 years before relevant application, been used for the deposit of waste; and Has been notified to the Borough Council by Environment Agency for the purposes of this provision

· ·

· · 2. Description of Development Develop Developme Development likely to involve the demolition or material alteration of Grade I or II* listed buildings, and II buildings involving the demolition of principal building, a principa all or a substantial part of the interior principal building Development undertaken by the Borough Council, in respect of listed buildings on its own land Development affecting the sett buildings Development affecting conservation areas, where the site area relating to such development exceeds 1,000 sq m, or any building exceeds 20 m in height Development undertaken by the Borough Council, in respect of areas of its own land within a conservation area Development affecting playing fields Development which:

34 Newcastle-Under-Lyme B.C Statement of Community Involvement Adopted August 2006

ment Means of Publicity Site display for not less than 21 days or notification of adjoining owner or occupier, and local advertisement Site display for not less than 21 days, and local advertise Site display for not less than 21 days, and local advertisement Site display for not less than 21 days, and local advertisement Site display for not less than 21 days, or notification of adjoining owner or occupier

(which are not

Planning Applications – Development Type Applications for major development (which are not one of the following three types) Applications for development subject to an Environmental Assessment Schedule 1 or 2 application, where accompanied by an environmental statement Applications for development not in accordance with the provisions of the development plan Applications for development affecting a right of way to which Part III of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 applies Applications for minor or other development one of the previous three types) Publicity

35 Newcastle-Under-Lyme B.C Statement of Community Involvement Adopted August 2006

APPENDIX C – NON-STATUTORY CONSULTEES: PLANNING APPLICATIONS

As well as being statutorily required to consult certain organisations regarding applications for specific types of development (as set out in Appendix B), the Council may choose to consult others, where the area of interest or expertise of an organisation is relevant to a particular application. These organisations are listed below.

Views, and perceptions of prominence, may change over time, leading to shifts in priorities and sensitivity regarding particular issues. This will affect the way in which the Council chooses to exercise the discretion that it has in terms of undertaking its work, including the determination of planning applications. Therefore, the list below may, and probably will, change, in accordance with circumstance. However, these bodies have acted as non-statutory consultees in recent times, and provide a useful guide as to the range of organisations and expertise that the Council wishes to engage.

In addition to these, some consultees who are listed as “statutory” for certain types of applications may also be consulted on a discretionary basis in relation to other applications.

Non-Statutory Consultees Access for the Disabled Committee Ambulance Authority British Gas British Telecom British Waterways Campaign for Real Ale Congleton Borough Council Council for British Architecture Countryside Agency Council for the Protection of Rural England County Trading Standards Officer Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council English Partnerships Forestry Commission Inland Waterways Association npower Potteries Museum National Radiological Protection Board Newcastle-under-Lyme Civic Society Newcastle-under-Lyme Primary Care Trust North Shropshire District Council National Trust Ramblers Association Royal Commission on Historic Monuments North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone RENEW North Staffordshire Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Severn Trent Water Stafford Borough Council Staffordshire Badger Conservation Group

36 Newcastle-Under-Lyme B.C Statement of Community Involvement Adopted August 2006

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service Staffordshire Gardens and Parks Trust Staffordshire Historic Buildings Trust Staffordshire Moorlands District Council Staffordshire Moorlands Primary Care Trust Staffordshire Nature Conservation Trust Staffordshire Police Staffordshire Wildlife Trust Stoke-on-Trent City Council United Utilities

37 Newcastle-Under-Lyme B.C Statement of Community Involvement Adopted August 2006

GLOSSARY

Area Areas identified on the proposals map within which certain policies Designations will apply. Policy A short clear statement of the matters which the local planning authority will take into account when it receives an application for planning permission. If the proposed development is not in line with the policy, then the local planning authority is likely to refuse planning permission unless there are exceptional circumstances affecting the site which would make this particular development acceptable. Development A compilation of documents which sets out the policies and proposals Plan for the development and other use of land and buildings within a specified area. In England, the development plan consists of a Spatial Strategy for the region, and other documents at county and district level. Development A document which must be subjected by the local planning authority Plan Document to a statutory adoption process before it can be formally adopted by the authority. The stages which make up this process consist of consultation, submission, independent examination, receipt of inspector’s report and formal adoption. All Development Plan Documents are part of the Local Development Framework, and as such, are also classed as Local Development Documents. Local A document setting out the local planning authority’s intentions for Development its Local Development Framework; in particular, the Local Scheme Development Documents it intends to produce and the timetable for their production and review. Local Plan Part of the current Development Plan (along with the Structure Plan) which will be replaced by parts of the LDF plus the Regional Spatial Strategy. The Newcastle-under-Lyme Local Plan 2011 was adopted in October 2003. Local Planning The local authority responsible for overseeing the planning system Authority within its area, and production of the development plan. In England, district, unitary and national park authorities act as local planning authorities for their areas, with county councils acting as waste and minerals planning authorities. County councils do not undertake this role in unitary areas, or those areas covered by a national park. Major The following categories are classed as ‘major development’: Development Minerals development; Waste development; Residential development – 10 or more, or 0.5 Ha or more; Other development with a floorspace of 1,000 sq m or more; Development on a site of an area of 1 Ha or more. Material S.54A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended Consideration 1991) states that “Where, in making any determination under the planning acts, regard is to be had to the development plan, the determination shall be made in accordance with the plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise”. Material considerations are planning matters relevant to an application, and can come from a wide range of sources, including representations made by the public, comments made by statutory and non-statutory consultees, draft plans, design issues and development impacts. Minor Development not meeting the criteria of ‘major development’ is Development classed as being ‘minor development’.

38 Newcastle-Under-Lyme B.C Statement of Community Involvement Adopted August 2006

Planning Policy Previously known as Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPGs), these Statements are issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and set out the Government’s land use planning policies for England. The Government is in the process of reviewing all PPGs.

Proposals Map This covers all or part of the local planning authority’s area,

depending on the Development Plan Document to which it relates, and shows:

· Existing and revised designations of areas of land.

· Sites for particular future land uses or developments.

· Locations of proposed or actual area plans. Reasoned A summary of the local planning authority’s reasons for including a Justification particular policy within the Core Strategy. Saved Plan The existing Local Plan may be ‘saved’ in whole or in part under the new system, which allows the policies in it to remain in force for development control purposes. It is unclear whether SPD can be hung on this.

Strategic A tool for integrating environmental considerations into decision- Environmental making by ensuring that any significant environmental effects of the Assessment decision are taken into account. The Strategic Environmental (SEA) Assessment must form an integral part of the preparation process for all Development Plan Documents. All documents must include an environmental report setting out the likely environmental impacts of implementation of the document. Supplementary Guidance produced by the Council which relates to, and usually Planning expands on or clarifies, a policy in a DPD or the Local Plan. SPG will Documents/ no longer be prepared, but a SPD may be created which ‘hangs’ from Guidance a ‘saved’ policy. Sustainability The examination of a Development Plan Document to ascertain Appraisal whether its policies and proposals will be in accord with the principles of sustainability. Strategic Environmental Assessment is often incorporated into the process of Sustainability Appraisal.

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