Local Plan: Consultation Statement (Regulation 22)
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Consultation Statement Local Plan: Consultation Statement (Regulation 22) June 2017 Local Plan: Consultation Statement (Reg 22) Sedgemoor District Council 2017 Contents 1 Introduction 2 2 Regulation 18 - Consultation 4 3 Regulation 18 - Main Issues Raised 9 4 Regulation 19 - Consultation 93 5 Regulation 19 - Main Issues Raised 96 Appendix 1 - Specific and General Consultation Bodies 108 Appendix 2 - Newletter and Leaflet Examples 117 Appendix 3 - Press Release and Public Notice Examples 126 Appendix 4 - Display Board Examples 132 Appendix 5 - Sample of Media Coverage 136 Appendix 6 - Reg 19 Consultation Supporting Material 142 2 Sedgemoor District Council 2017 Local Plan: Consultation Statement (Reg 22) 1 Introduction Introduction 1.1 This Statement of Consultation has been prepared in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. It explains how Sedgemoor District Council has engaged with residents, businesses and other stakeholders to inform the Proposed Submission Local Plan (regulation 18 consultation), including the main issues raised and how they have been taken into account. It also provides details of summary of the main issues raised by representations following publication of the Local Plan (regulations 19 and 20). The legislation sets out that the submission documents should include a statement setting out: i. Which bodies and persons were invited to make representations under regulation 18; ii. How those bodies and persons were invited to make representations under relation 18; iii. A summary of the main issues raised by the representations made pursuant to regulation 18; iv. How any representations made pursuant to regulation 18 have been taken into account; v. If representations were made pursuant to regulation 20, the number of representations made and a summary of the main issues raised in those representations; and vi. If no representations were made in regulation 20, that no such representations were made. 1.2 The statement has therefore been prepared to support submission of the Council's Local Plan to the Secretary of State. It follows and expands on the previous consultation statement (January 2017) that was prepared to support publication of the proposed submission Local Plan. In addition to legal compliance with the regulations the statement of consultation forms part of the evidence base for demonstrating the soundness of the Local Plan, in terms the plan being justified and taking forward the most appropriate strategy when considered against reasonable alternatives. 1.3 This statement explains how consultation has been carried out for the preparation of the Local Plan, including who was invited, the methods used to engage, the main issues raised and how these have been addressed in the Local Plan. In addition to formal consultations outlined in this statement, there has also been extensive ongoing and informal discussions and correspondence with key stakeholders. These have included discussions with adjoining authorities, infrastructure providers, community groups and representatives of the development industry. This extensive ongoing dialogue has helped to inform the preparation of the Local Plan and satisfy Duty to Co-operate requirements. The Council has also prepared a separate Duty to Cooperate Statement setting out how the plan satisfies Duty to Cooperate requirements as set out in the Localism Act 2011. This explains how liaison with neighbouring authorities and other relevant bodies has taken place and the outcome in terms of informing the Local Plan. 1.4 Internal engagement has also been important in shaping the Local Plan. This has included consultation with officers in other Council functions where their remit is relevant to the Local Plan. Examples include, Economic Development, Major Projects, Affordable Housing and Parks & Open Space Teams. Engagement with Councillors has also been a key component in the preparation of the plan through a cross party Local Development Framework Working Group. Working Group meetings have been held on a regular basis throughout the preparation of the plan. The main purpose of the group is to consider evidence, weigh up different options, feedback views, review consultation outcomes and make recommendations on the strategic direction of the plan. The Members Working Group does not have any decision-making powers but is able to make recommendations to the Council’s Executive and Full Council when the Local Plan is reported at relevant stages in its preparation. Local Plan: Consultation Statement (Reg 22) Sedgemoor District Council 2017 3 Introduction 1 Statement of Community Involvement 1.5 Consultation and engagement has been undertaken in accordance with the Council's Statement of Community Involvement (SCI). The Sedgemoor SCI, adopted in April 2007, sets out how consultation on Local Development Document, which includes the Local Plan, will be undertaken. It sets out the different groups of people and possible methods and techniques for consulting. Consultation and engagement has been undertaken in accordance with the Council's SCI. 1.6 The SCI was produced in accordance with the statutory/procedures required at the time of writing and since the SCI was adopted there have been some legislative changes in terms of the stages involved in the production of Local Development Document. The SCI should therefore be read in the context of the stages for plan preparation that are now relevant, as set out in the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. These can also be viewed on the Council's Local Development Scheme, available on the Sedgemoor Council website. Despite these changes the principles set out in the SCI are still considered relevant and important in ensuring effective engagement in plan making. It has been a main aim for preparation of the Local Plan to accord with and follow the principles set out in the SCI. 4 Sedgemoor District Council 2017 Local Plan: Consultation Statement (Reg 22) 2 Regulation 18 - Consultation Overview 2.1 The following section provides details of who has been invited to make representations during the Regulation 18 stages and how they were consulted. Throughout the process the Council has used a variety of methods to consult with stakeholders and interested parties, including Town and Parish Councils, residents, businesses and landowners. Consultation Periods 2.2 Two formal Regulation 18 public consultation periods were undertaken, these included: Local Plan Review Stage 1 Consultation - Scope and Approach 2.3 This consultation was undertaken for 12 weeks between the 26th October 2015 and 18th January 2016 (extended from the original end date of 18th December 2015). This was the main Regulation 18 consultation period consulting on what the new Local Plan ought to contain and sought views on a range of alternative options and the scope and content of the plan in general. Local Plan Review - Additional Consultation 2.4 This second additional consultation period was undertaken for 6 weeks between 27th June and 8th August 2016. Following further sustainability appraisal work and consideration of stage 1 consultation responses this consulted on updated development options for land at East Bridgwater, to seek more views from the local community of potential development in this area. Refined development options for Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge, Cheddar and North Petherton were also consulted on based on further consideration of sites options and land promoted to the Council. 2.5 Even discounting one week for the 2015 Christmas period overall we have therefore held public consultation over a total of 17 weeks, providing significant opportunity for the Sedgemoor community to input and comment on the emerging Local Plan. Who were invited to make representations? 2.6 Throughout the preparation of the Local Plan the Council has invited key stakeholders and the wider public to have their say on the different options considered and what the Local Plan should contain, in accordance with the Regulations and the SCI. These included: Specific Consultation bodies - These are the bodies listed in the legislation, including adjoining Councils, Parish/Town Councils, agencies such as the Environment Agency and Natural England, and utilities providers. In preparing the plan the Council has invited specific bodies that it considers may have an interest in the plan. A full list is provided in Appendix 1. General Consultation bodies - This includes voluntary groups and other organisations which represent local and national interests and the interests of hard to reach groups. Examples include religious groups and organisations representing disabled people and racial, ethnic, and business interests. A list of organisations invited is provided in Appendix 1. The General Public - including residents, visitors, commuters and local businesses. Developers - including landowners, housebuilders, agents and organisations that represent them, such as the Home Builders Federation. 2.7 The Council has set up and maintains a consultation database to ensure relevant people are notified by post or email at the start of consultation events. Anyone who has an interest in preparation of the Local Plan for Sedgemoor can register to ensure that they are kept up-to-date on progress with the Local Plan or other Local Development Documents, including being added to our newsletter Local Plan: Consultation Statement (Reg 22) Sedgemoor District Council 2017 5 Regulation 18 - Consultation 2 mailing