Statement of Community Involvement Pre-Submission Public Participation Document

Medway Local Development Framework

August 2005

Medway Council

1

2

Preface The responses to the initial document called ‘The Statement of Community Involvement Pre–Submission Consultation Stage’ have now been analysed and the document amended where appropriate. A report has also been compiled containing a summary of representations to the document and the Council’s response, which is attached to this document.

The amended SCI document is called the “Statement of Community Involvement Submission Draft ”. It is now available to the public and the Council is seeking your views on the proposed community involvement policy set out within it. All the documents including the response form can be downloaded from http://www.medway.gov.uk/

If you would like to make any comments please use one of the following methods. Send your written comments by post to:

The Assistant Director, Regeneration and Environment Division, Medway Council, Compass Centre, Chatham Maritime, Chatham, Kent ME4 4YH

Or send via e-mail to: [email protected]

Or send by fax to: 01634 331125

Please note that comments cannot be treated as confidential.

The start date for consultation is All comments must be received by

If you require any assistance or would like to discuss any aspects of the new planning framework please feel free to contact and speak to one of our planners within the Development Plans & Research section:

Wendy Lane - Development Plans and Research Manager ext. 331533 Bob Enderson - Senior Planning Officer ext. 331290 Morgan Slade - Senior Planning Officer ext 331028 Bryan Geake - Senior Planning Officer ext. 331025

Any procedural observations or complaints about the consultation exercise should be sent to: [email protected]

It would be helpful if responses from representative groups could provide a summary of the people and organizations they represent. Any representation may be accompanied by a request to be notified as a specified address that the SCI has been submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination under section 20 and of the adoption of the SCI.

3

4

5

6

Contents

Introduction

1.1 The new planning system 1.4 Reason for change 1.6 Aims and objectives of the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) 1.11 Criteria for testing soundness 1.12 Our vision for Medway 1.16 Core Values

What is the process for the LDF and SCI?

2.1 Development Plan Documents 2.5 Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) 2.7 Sustainability Appraisal (SA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) 2.10 Bodies to be consulted 2.14 Dissemination, Participation and Response. 2.21 Resources and Management

Public participation and consultation during the main stages in the preparation of the LDF

3.1 Four stages 3.18 Consultations on key planning applications

Summary

List of tables

Glossary

Appendix A – Preliminary list of consultation bodies.

Appendix B - Local Development Scheme Chart. (To be attached later )

7

8

Introduction

The new planning system

1.1 The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 replaces the former development plan system of Structure and Local Plans with Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) and Local Development Frameworks (LDF). The latter comprises Local Development Documents (LDD). Medway Council is now carrying out preparatory work to enable it to produce its new local development framework as soon as possible.

1.2 The Act requires the council to prepare a document, known as a Local Development Scheme (LDS), which identifies the documents which it will produce over the next three years as part of the local development framework. It also sets out the timetable for the preparation and review of these documents.

1.3 The local development documents will contain the Council’s policies relating to the development and use of land within Medway. In addition, one LDD must deal specifically with public participation in the plan making process and is called a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI). This document is Medway’s SCI, which was approved for public consultation on 11th May 2004.

Reason for change

1.4 The Government’s reasons for bringing in a new system for the preparation of development plans are:

i. to speed up the preparation of plans; ii. to ensure that plans are monitored and reviewed and kept up-to- date; and iii. to achieve more effective involvement with the community.1

1.5 Local development frameworks are intended to streamline the local planning process and promote a proactive, positive approach to managing development. The key aims of the new system are: i) flexibility, ii) strengthening community and stakeholder involvement: iii) front loading: iv) sustainability appraisal: v) programme management: vi) soundness. 2

Aims and objectives of the SCI and of continuous community involvement

1.6 The aim of the process of continuous community involvement in the new planning system is to produce consensus, so far as possible, on the form and content of the local development documents which Medway Council is

1 Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Oct. 2003) Consultation Draft Local Development Frameworks Guide to Procedure and Code of Practice. P 12 2 Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Oct. 2004) Planning Policy Statement 12 Local Development Frameworks pp1 9

preparing. Where this is successful in relation to the preparation of development plan documents, it will help to minimise the need for a lengthy and controversial public examination process. However, it must be recognised that the Council has to make difficult decisions on which it may not be possible to achieve consensus and it will be necessary to take any unresolved issues to the examination. To minimise the time taken at the examination, there should be meaningful involvement by all of those with an interest in the future of the area throughout the preparation of all local development documents. The process by which this will be achieved is set out in this statement of community involvement. Formal public participation will allow the community to express views on this statement.3

1.7 The SCI sets out Medway Council’s policy for involving the community in the preparation, alteration and revision of local development documents and in key development control (DC) decisions. It aims to be a clear public statement that enables the community to know when and how it will be involved. The Government has set minimum requirements for public involvement, with which local planning authorities must comply. The SCI shows how these requirements will be met and exceeded.

1.8 Medway Council’s standard for community involvement is to seek participation from as wide a section of the community as possible that work, live and use the Medway area and to use the results of that participation in a positive way to shape the future for Medway. The statement therefore examines the Councils’ vision and how it links with other community involvement initiatives.

1.9 It is considered that the SCI will be under constant review as the public become involved in the plan making process. At all stages of the LDF, where the public are involved, their views about how to improve the process will be sought. This must be done sensitively to avoid over- loading and ultimately desensitising the public to being involved with the new system.

1.10 It is important to understand that if the SCI is to be successful it must identify the community groups and the techniques to be used to involve them effectively. These techniques should be fit for the purposes for the different stages of the preparation of the LDDs and for different groups. The statement must be resourced and managed properly and show how the results feed into the process. In terms of survey and preparation of issues and options some of this information may be based on existing development plans or the work done to review them.4

3 ODPM Consultation Draft Local Government Framework Guide to Procedure and Code of practice (2003) p 23Para B.1 4 Ibid p17 s 2.6 10

Criteria for testing soundness5

1.11 The purpose of the examination is to consider the soundness of the statement of community involvement. The presumption will be that the statement of community involvement is sound unless it is shown to be otherwise as a result of evidence considered at the examination. A hearing will only be necessary where one or more of those making representations wish to be heard. In assessing whether the statement of community involvement is sound, the inspector will determine whether the:

i. local planning authority has complied with the minimum requirements for consultation as set out in Regulation;

ii. local planning authority’s strategy for community involvement links with other community involvement initiatives e.g. the community strategy;

iii. statement identifies in general terms which local community groups and other bodies will be consulted;

iv. statement identifies how the community and other bodies can be involved in a timely and accessible manner;

v. methods of consultation to be employed are suitable for the intended audience and for the different stages in the preparation of local development documents;

vi. resources are available to manage community involvement effectively;

vii. statement shows how the results of community involvement will be fed into the preparation of development plan documents and supplementary planning documents;

viii. authority has mechanisms for reviewing the statement of community involvement; and

ix. statement clearly describes the planning authority’s policy for consultation on planning applications.

5 Office of the Deputy prime Minister (2004). Planning Policy Statement 12 : Local Development Frameworks. para 3.10 11

Our Vision for Medway

1.12 Medway Council together with the Medway Local Strategic Partnership and other community organisations is committed to involving the whole community in transforming Medway. The vision is to “help develop Medway into a fine and welcoming city: a city where people want to achieve in all aspects of their life, through work, leisure and learning.

1.13 Medway will be a healthy, safe and exciting place with a good environment and major cultural attractions, yet Medway’s communities will be recognised for their care, fairness and vibrancy: where people work together to realise their needs and ambitions.”

1.14 The Council’s vision for the area is set firmly in a framework of the community plan and, when adopted, the LDF. Medway has a wide range of community and voluntary groups operating in the area. It has been estimated that including all the small community groups, there are well over 5006 organisations. These range from very large, professionally staffed organisations to small community based groups. Very often these groups are established to address particular needs such as those of disabled children, older people and so on.

1.15 The documents that the LDF draws upon can be seen at paragraph 4.3 of the Local Development Scheme.

Core Values

1.16 Medway Council adopted its core values, following consultation with the residents of Medway on what was important to them for their council's values. The core values7 underpin all the council's work and its delivery of services to the people of Medway.

Giving value for money

§ A commitment to high quality of service, tested against cost-effectiveness and the support of users and non-users alike. § An intention to make continuous improvement in the quality of service and to have a process of strategic review to keep improvements coming.

Promoting economic, physical and social regeneration

§ A commitment to economic development policies designed to attract and support the widest possible range of industry and business to Medway. § A commitment to improving the physical environment in Medway, bringing unused or poorly used sites into use in a planned and creative way.

6 Medway Council (2004) Medway’s Community Report and Plan 2004 -2007. P.9 7 Medway Council (2003) Core Values : Customer Care Charter. www.medway.gov.uk

12

§ Recognising that regeneration is about people as well as places and enhancing the quality of life for Medway people.

Fostering citizenship

§ A commitment to good local government going beyond service delivery. § Representing the interests of Medway people to influential people and organisations. § Promoting the self-esteem of the community. § Being a listening and responsive council. § Encouraging the participation of local people in the decisions that effect their lives and developing a vibrant and diverse community.

Improving the environment

§ A commitment to policies that will reduce waste, pollution and the rate at which natural resources are used up. § Taking pride in cleaning and greening the area. § Supporting healthier lifestyles and the health of the population more broadly. § Improving community safety and reducing fear of crime.

Working for equal opportunity and access

§ A commitment to recognising and redressing the needs of vulnerable groups in Medway society. § Countering deprivation and supporting self-sufficiency. § Combating discrimination in all its forms and working actively to ensure equal access to jobs, services and active citizenship.

Realising everyone's potential

§ A commitment to improving levels of achievement of all groups in the local community. § Expanding and developing educational and lifestyle opportunities. § Commitment to the principles of lifelong learning and to the council being a learning organisation.

13

What are the processes for the LDF and SCI?

Development Plan Documents

2.1 The development plan will be an integrated set of spatial policies and proposals which are based on a clear understanding of the economic, social and environmental needs of the area and any constraints on meeting those needs. The strategy and the policies in local development documents should relate to the geography of the area and be founded on the physical and demographic characteristics, the internal and external links and the relationships with neighbouring areas.

2.2 The format of local development documents should be clear, succinct and easily understood by all, with the strategy and associated policies and proposals expressed in terms which emphasise the means and timescale by which the objectives derived from the vision will be met. The policies and proposals in local development documents should be underpinned by comprehensive and credible evidence.

2.3 The development plan documents which Medway Council must prepare include the following elements:

i. Core strategy; ii. Site specific allocations of land; iii. Area action plans (where needed); and iv. Proposals map (with inset maps, where necessary)

2.4 All development plan documents must be subject to rigorous procedures of community involvement, consultation and independent examination and adopted after receipt of the inspector’s binding report. These must also be in general conformity with National and regional planning policies.

Supplementary Planning Documents8

2.5 Supplementary planning documents are intended to expand upon policy or provide further detail to policies in Development Plan Documents, but do not have development plan status. These documents can demonstrate through illustrations, text and practical examples how policies can be taken forward. Supplementary planning documents can include design guides, site development briefs, issue or thematic-based documents. However, they must not be used to allocate land or contain policies that should be subject to independent examination. SPD’s should :

· be consistent with the policies in national policy, and be in general conformity with the relevant regional spatial strategy;

· be in conformity with and clearly cross-referenced to the relevant development plan document(s) policies they support;

8 ODPM (2004) Creating Local Development Frameworks A companion guide to PPS 12. pp 23-24 14

· be reviewed on a regular basis alongside reviews of development plan document policies to which they relate;

· be produced through community involvement, in accordance with the statement of community involvement;

· set out clearly their status – they should be subject to a council resolution to adopt as a local development document;

· state how they have been prepared together with a statement of compliance explaining how their preparation relates to the statement of community involvement;

· expand or supplement policy in development plan documents, but must not be used to avoid policies being subject to independent examination.

2.6 Supplementary planning documents which are included in the local development framework will be material considerations which will carry significant weight in the process of making decisions on planning applications, as they will have been produced following rigorous procedures involving continuous community involvement and should be accompanied by a sustainability appraisal.9

Sustainability Appraisal (SA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)10

2.7 Medway Council must comply with Directive 2001/42/EC which requires formal strategic environmental assessment of certain plans and programs which are likely to have significant effects on the environment. The Council should ensure that environmental implications and alternatives are considered as early as possible. The Directive applies to local development documents where formal preparation began after 21 July 2004.

2.8 In addition, Sustainability Appraisal is mandatory for Local Development Documents. The aim of Sustainability Appraisal is to promote sustainable development within plans.

The requirement to carry out a Sustainability Appraisal and a Strategic Environmental Assessment are distinct. However, it is intended that both will be satisfied through a single comprehensive appraisal process that ensures that Sustainability Appraisals meet the requirements of the SEA Directive, whilst widening the Directive’s approach to include social and economic as well as environmental issues.

9 Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Oct. 2004) Planning Policy Statement 12 Local Development Frameworks pp46 10 Office of the Deputy prime Minister (2004). Planning Policy Statement 12 : Local Development Frameworks. P25 para 4.3 15

2.9 Sustainability appraisal and strategic environmental assessment will play an important part in testing the ‘soundness’ of local development documents by ensuring that they reflect sustainability objectives, as well as being consistent with each other in terms of their objectives and policies. Medway Council must consult the public on local development documents as part of the LDF process. This consultation period will take place when the sustainability appraisal/ strategic environmental assessment of the options is published.

Bodies to be consulted

2.10 This statement of community involvement (SCI) sets out the arrangements for how people can get involved in the preparation of local development documents. In preparing development plan documents, the Council is required to meet a minimum level of public involvement under the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2004. The Regulations specify that the following bodies must be consulted if the Council considers that body will be affected by what is proposed to be covered in a development plan document. Although the Regulations state that theses bodies do not need to be consulted as part of the preparation of the SCI the Council has decided to include them in the list of consultees. • Regional Planning Body; • Regional Development Agency; • County Council; • Adjoining LPAs; • the Environment Agency; • the Countryside Agency; • English Nature; • Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England; • Strategic Rail Authority; • Relevant telecommunications companies; • Strategic Health Authority; • The Highways Agency • Relevant electricity and gas companies; • Relevant sewerage and water undertakers.

2.11 At appendix A is a preliminary list of bodies some of which the Council is required to consult plus other bodies which it may consult should it be thought necessary to do so. This list is not exhaustive. The Council may also consult with the following bodies in relation to the LDF and SCI:

• voluntary bodies, some or all of whose activities benefit the whole or part of the authority’s area; • bodies representing the interests of:

- different racial, ethnic or national bodies in the area; - different religious groups in the area; - people with disabilities in the area; 16

- persons carrying on business in the area.

2.12 The Council has identified that there are a number of key issues for the community and voluntary sector in gaining effective community involvement. Many of these issues relate to groups who may find difficulty in masking their views known, such as : -

People on low incomes The unemployed Lone parents Homeless people Older people People with disabilities People wanting to improve their basic skills People with English as a second language. People with illnesses or addictions.

2.13 As clearly indicated, one of the many aims of the SCI is to ensure that all sections of the public, including local groups and organisations, are actively involved throughout the plan making process. The Council considers that a framework of different methods should be used to contact different sections of the community in Medway. In this way the SCI in particular and the LDF in general can be developed in an inclusive way.

Dissemination, Participation and Response

2.14 There are three key elements, which are considered fundamental to involving the public in the plan making process.

2.15 A ) Dissemination of Information The following methods can be used: - 1. Statutory notices in the local press. 2. Making all documents available on the web site. 3. Deposit of documents in Council Offices. 4. Staffed exhibitions in locations throughout the Medway Area. These will usually be in village or community halls, church halls, schools or other public buildings according to availability. 5. Press releases containing sufficient information for an article to appear in the local press. The actual appearance of an article will depend upon the editor. 6. Articles in Medway Matters the Councils newspaper, which is circulated free to all local households every 6 weeks. 7. Send notification and documentation to individuals and bodies as necessary. 8. Making available large print version of documents, Braille and different languages if requested: a system is in place that can cope with requests from people who don’t have English as a first Language (EFL). 9. Specifically identify and communicate with ethnic minorities and disability groups. 10. Use of site notices for site-specific issues.

17

B) Participation - Continuous Community Involvement. This will be achieved through the use of the following methods:- 1. Discussions with Local Strategic Partnership. 2. Programme of public meetings, round tables or forums on large or controversial sites or issues. 3. Discussions and correspondence with developers and other interested parties seeking to promote or object to specific development or specific policies. 4. Workshops involving schools and other interested parties to provide an early input into the formulation of proposals for a specific site or action area. The Council has already used these workshops as methods of public participation. 5. A Local Development Framework Advisory Group has been established by the Environment and Front Line Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee. This consists of officers, Councillors and representatives of the Local Strategic partnership and will have responsibility for overseeing the progress of the LDF. Necessary decisions which need to be made throughout the LDF process will be the subject of resolutions by the Cabinet and Council after consideration by the Advisory Group.

C) Responses The main methods of considering responses will be:-

1. All representations will be considered by the council and reasons given for accepting or rejecting them. 2. When considering representations, they will be measured against national and regional planning policies, locally adopted guidance and other local circumstances. 3. A report on council responses to objections and representations and recommended amendments to documents will be published. 4. Revised documents will be published and further opportunities for consultation and participation will be made available in accordance with the regulations.

2.16 Different LDDs may require a combination of these consultation methods. A good guide for involving the community in the planning and management of the environment can be found in The Community Planning Handbook (2000)11 and the consultation and participation methods it contains will form part of the considerations of this SCI.

2.17 At each stage of the SCI and in the LDF process where community involvement is required stakeholders will be asked whether or not they felt that they had been fully involved and how they think the process can be improved. Where appropriate, amendments to the SCI will be implemented at the end of each consultation stage and where necessary, agreed as part of the annual monitoring report on the LDF process. In this way the community will have a significant imput into developing a

11 Wates, N and Brook, J (2000) The Community Planning Handbook . Earthscan Publications Ltd, London. 18

community consultation process that suits them and which adapts to changing needs.

2.18 This SCI will be widely distributed and other methods that the Council may use to involve the community are:

1. Opinion poll carried out annually consisting of 1100 people in a face- to-face survey to see how people in general feel about certain issues. This is run by an agency that has experience of this method. It is run with a particular key issue in mind. The poll is usually run around September / October time.

2. Citizen Panel involving a panel of 1500 who are representative in age gender and area etc. and every year a third is replaced by new individuals. They are held 4-5 times a year and consider key issues such as the Community plan. The survey is usually in the form of a questionnaire that goes out to individuals.

3. Corporate Focus groups where hard to reach groups such as Ethnic Minorities, Age groups, Disability groups, Young peoples groups, Lesbian, Gay and Transsexual groups and the Youth Parliament can participate. Agents are used to find individuals to participate and the venues are held in local halls. A discussion paper is produced and a 1-2 hour discussion takes place. The whole of the meeting is transcribed and the discussions analysed. Feed-back is given via Medway Matters or some other forum.

2.19 The Council’s Research and Consultation Group has established a consultation database where all the consultation carried out by the council goes onto one database. Results of consultation are available to all Council departments and duplication of survey work is avoided. In this sense a corporate approach to public participation in the LDF can be achieved. The advantages are that additional resources can be accessed at a corporate level and used where appropriate timetables can be met, and resources will not to be wasted by duplication of survey work.

2.20 In addition, all relevant LDF documents will be published on the Council’s web-site, and people will have the opportunity to make representations both in writing and by e-mail. The Council will also use the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) as a forum to consult the wider community for raising issues and making representations.

2.21 Resources & Management The overall responsibility for the preparation of the Local Development Documents will lie with the Transport and Development Plans Manager on behalf of the Assistant Director. The team responsible for the production of the LDF will be the Development Plans and Research team under the supervision of the Development Plans and Research Manager. The group comprises four senior planners, three planning officers and a technical assistant. Also contributing to the work, at key stages, will be the Design and Conservation team, the Integrated Transport team, and the Development Control team. Teams outside of this division will also need to 19

contribute including Greenspaces and the Research and Review team, as well as the corporate Development in the Round Group (DiRG) which has representatives from Social Services, Education etc. In August 2004, the Medway Regeneration Delivery Unit (MRDU) was created and is now known as Medway Renaissance (MR). This unit contains a range of officers that will be call upon for work on the LDF. A number of the LDDs will primarily be resourced by the use of external consultants. The use of consultants on specific projects is required where there is a lack of expertise or capacity in house. Based on the division's current service planning, sufficient staff and budgetary resources are in place to ensure delivery of the LDF and these resources can be managed in such a way as to deal with most unforeseen circumstances and peaks in workload required to meet the timetable.

20

Public participation and consultation during the main stages in the preparation of the LDF

The four stages

3.1 The process for the preparation and adoption of development plan documents is illustrated in figure 1 and essentially involves four stages.

Fig 1 (Adapted from fig 4.1 from Page 31of PPS12)

21

3.2 (1) The Pre-production and survey stage will include the preparation of the LDS, which will describe the LDDs to be produced, the timetable for their preparation and adoption and the resources needed to prepare them. Medway Council will need to collect the necessary data to develop a robust evidence base for the plan and provide the baseline for SA/SEA.

3.3 There are benefits in involving the community at this stage to begin informal discussions around key issues. These are carried out with the Local Strategic Partnership, which is responsible for the preparation of Medway’s Community Plan. The Partnership is made up of almost 200 partner organisations, representing a wide cross section of the community. The participation of the Partnership at both a formal and informal level will be carried through all stages of the LDF process.

3.4 (2) The Production stage will involve developing with stakeholders and the community, the vision, objectives and spatial options for the plan. These will need to be developed through public consultation and participation. There are three categories of documents involved at this stage, the SCI, DPDs and SPDs.

i) Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)

3.5 (Reg 25) The first draft of the SCI will be sent direct to the bodies identified in Appendix A of the SCI, and published on the council’s web- site (items 2 and 7 of para. 2.15A above). All views received will be considered and if appropriate, the SCI will be amended. The Council will publish its reasons for accepting or rejecting the points raised.

3.6 (Reg 26) The second draft of the SCI will be subject to full public participation. It will be publicised by a notice in the press, published on the council’s web site and be placed on deposit in the Council’s offices. It will also be sent to the bodies identified in Appendix A of the SCI (Items 1,2,3 and 7 of para. 2.15A above).

3.7 (Reg 28) All views on the second draft of the SCI will be considered and it will be amended if necessary. The Council will publish its reasons for accepting or rejecting the points raised. A final draft of the SCI will be submitted to the Secretary of State and an opportunity will be given for objections and other representations to be submitted and considered by the inspector. The dissemination methods are items 1,2,3,5,7,8 and 9 of paragraph 2.15A.

ii) Development Plan Documents

3.8 (Reg 25) A draft issues and options document will be sent directly to the bodies identified in Appendix A of the SCI and published on the Councils web-site. (Items 2 and 7 of para 2.15A above). All views received will be considered and if appropriate the draft issues and options document will be amended. The Council will publish its reasons for accepting or rejecting the points made.

22

3.9 (Reg 26) A preferred options document will be subject to full public participation. It will be publicised by a notice in the press, published on the Council’s web-site, and be placed on deposit in Council offices. It will also be sent to the bodies identified in Appendix A of the SCI (Items 1,2,3 and 7 of para 2.15A above). Other methods of information dissemination will consist of items 5,6,8 and 9 of paragraph 2.15A. Participation will be achieved through items 1,2,3 and 5 of paragraph 2.15 B above.

3.10 Following the Issues and Options stage, participation in the form of workshops will begin and continue through to the end of the following stage (6-week period of public participation). These workshops will address site specific proposals emerging from the Issues and Options stage and from the on-going preparation of the DPDs. Items 5, 7 and 10 of paragraph 2.15A will be used to disseminate information and the workshops will accord with item 4 of paragraph 2.15B.

3.11 (Reg 28) Following the preferred options stage, all views will be taken into account and a submission Development Plan Document will be prepared. The Council will publish the reasons for accepting or rejecting the points raised at the preferred options stage. The submission DPD will be submitted to the Secretary of State and an opportunity will be given for objections and other representations to be submitted and considered by the inspector. The dissemination methods are items 1,2,3,5,7,8 and 9 of paragraph 2.15A.

iii) Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD)

3.12 SPDs are not a statutory requirement and it is a matter for each local planning authority to decide whether to prepare them. Consequently, they do not need to follow the full procedure set out in figure 1. Only one period of public participation is required and they are not subject to an independent examination before being adopted.

3.13 The contents of supplementary planning documents must be in conformity with proposals in development plan documents or ‘saved’ local plan policies. They may be site specific or general in nature. The methods of dissemination will consist of items 1,2,3,5, 7 and 10 of paragraph 2.15 A and participation will include items 1 to 5 of paragraph 2.15 B. Consultation will be directed towards those bodies, organisations and individuals with a particular interest in an SPD area or subject.

iv) The Council’s response

3.14 (3) The Examination (Reg 29) will be an assessment of the soundness of the SCI and DPD in terms of its content and whether the correct processes and procedures have been followed. This will normally involve a public examination where objectors will have a right to be heard. Subsequently, an Inspector’s report will be produced which is binding upon the Council which will be required to adopt the final SCI or DPD in accordance with the Inspector’s recommendations. The examination and Inspector’s Report will be the subject of publicity and notification. The latter will be published. (Items 1, 2, 3 and 7 of paragraph 2.15A). 23

3.15 (4) Adoption and entry of the SCI and DPD into the LDF, which will follow receipt of the Inspector’s report. The adoption of these documents and of a SPD will be the subject of publicity and notification. (Items 1, 2, 3 and 7 of paragraph 2.15A).

3.16 Monitoring will be carried out annually of the progress against the timetable in the LDS, the effectiveness of LDF policies, the rate of housing provision, and the need for changes to the SCI. The monitoring report will be published and formally reported to the Council.

3.17 Appendix B shows the programme and timetable for the preparation of Medway’s Local Development Framework. This has been extracted from the Council’s local development scheme and the stages of public involvement have been highlighted. This should be read in conjunction with the paragraphs above.

Consultations on key planning applications

3.18 Pre-applications discussions are particularly important for key planning applications. Some applications will be of such importance that the Secretary of State (SoS) will designate them as a major infrastructure project. They will be subject to an inquiry process.12 However not all key planning applications will need to go to the SoS.

3.19 Tiered Approach13

3.20 The tiered approach relates to the setting and use of indicative thresholds for determining which applications are to be subject to different types of community involvement and the level of community involvement required at each stage of the planning process. The level of consultation that will be undertake for the various types of planning application will vary accordingly. The tiered approach sets out an indicative framework for those planning applications, which should be subject to wider community involvement.

3.21 In summary, these ‘tiers’ can be described as:

Tier Level 1 For those applications falling within ‘Tier 1’ (e.g. Development Plan Departures which are referred to the Secretary of State in accordance with Regulation 3(a)-(c) in Annex 1 only, as outlined in Circular 07/99, Schedule 1 applications (as defined by the EIA Regulations), and development that falls within the provisions of the Shopping Development Direction), it may be expected that the widest level of community consultation will be undertaken. In these circumstances, the use of public meetings, development briefs and the media as part of the consultation process may be the most appropriate.

12 Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (2004) Community Involvement in Planning: The Government’s Objectives. Crown copyright 2004 Objectives. P15 13 Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (2005) Statement of community involvement and Planning applications pp 30-37 24

Tier Level 2 For those applications falling within ‘Tier 2’ (e.g. applications which require a full Transport Assessment or applications subject to the Town and Country Planning (Playing Fields) (England) Direction 1998), it may be expected that LPAs would undertake a greater level of community involvement above that normally (i.e. posting of site notices or neighbour notification letters) carried out. In these circumstances, LPAs may consider engaging the public through public exhibitions or Enquiry by Design exercises.

Tier Level 3 For those applications falling within ‘Tier 3’ (e.g. demolition of a listed building, loss of allotment land and loss of employment land for housing), it will be expected that LPAs will consider, on a site by site basis assess the appropriate level of Community Involvement to engage the public, and the type of involvement required. Fig 2 Consultation approach to the three tiers

3.22 Given the range and types of available consultation approaches, the table above provides an indication of the methods for community engagement that may be appropriate for each ‘tier’ of application. For example, it is expected that ‘Tier 1’ applications (e.g. Schedule 1 applications as defined by the EIA Regulations) will, by their very nature and ‘significance’, call for a higher level of community engagement when compared to an application which may fall in ‘Tier 3’ (e.g. an application that involves partial demolition in a Conservation Area). Therefore the ‘ticks’ in the boxes in

25

figure 2 are merely illustrative as to the means of consultation and should not be interpreted as being prescriptive in any way.

The Protocol

3.23 Medway Council intends to follow a specific protocol that will enable developers to provide a good level of pre-application community involvement in their major proposals. The protocol involves two main stages 1) the Pre-application stage and 2) the formal planning application stage.

1) Pre-application stage – Meetings with developers to discuss the protocol.

3.24 On a site specific basis developers will be asked to produce a method statement which details how they will consult with the local community in advance of a formal planning application being made. This must detail how they are to reach local groups and a wide cross section of the local community who will be affected by the development.14 The document will detail the methods the developer will use, i.e. Work shops with community groups, questionnaires, 1 to 1 meetings, and wider consultations etc.15 They must allow for a wider debate within the community and have realistic aspirations. The Developer can involve a third party to undertake this consultation work on their behalf. Before a formal planning application is submitted the developer will be strongly encouraged to submit a fully detailed report to Medway Council confirming the consultation methods used, the results of the consultation and how the developers intend to take these views into account when submitting a formal planning application.

2) Formal planning application - check how the pre – application consultations feeds into the application process.

3.25 The planning process generates a wide-ranging requirement for consultations in connection with the various types of planning applications that are received. The responsibility for publicising applications normally falls with the Local Planning Authority (LPA). General guidance on publicising planning applications is set out in Circular 15/92 and more recently the Town and Country General Development Procedure Order 1995 (GPDO). These give practical advice on when to use the three types of publicity currently in use i.e. neighbour notification, site and press notice.

3.26 It is a requirement for all major planning applications to mount a site display on or near the land for at least 21 days before determining the application, publish a local advertisement in The Press and to serve notice on any adjoining owner/occupier.16

14 For a description of these groups see page 11-12 of this document. 15 For a list of possible methods see page 13–15 of this document. 16 Town and Country (General Development Procedure) Order 1995.Article 8 26

3.27 Within the Council area there are a number key Brownfield development sites. Working with our European partners for more effective and sustainable Brownfield Revitalisation policies (REVIT17) cities in Germany, Holland, France and Wales a tool kit is being developed for best practice in community participation and involvement taking case studies as a basis for the tool kit. It is hoped that once the tool kit is finalised it will form part of this SCI and the methods it describes will be used where appropriate.

3.28 The Council recognises that all new development will need access to essential service provision and therefore providers will be consulted on major applications, where appropriate.

Summary

The SCI sets out Medway Council’s policy for involving the community in the preparation and revision of local development documents and in significant development control decisions. The SCI describes how the LDF process will operate and how and when the public will be involved with the process. The SCI will undergo informal and formal public consultation and will be subject to an independent examination process.

17 www.revit-nweurope.org. 27

28

List of Tables

Fig 1 Page 31 PPS 12 The Development Plan Document Process. Fig 2 Consultation approach to the three tiers pp39 Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (2005) Statement of community involvement and Planning applications

29

30

Glossary

DC - Development Control

DPD - Development Plan Document

EFL - English as a First Language

EIP - Examination In Public

GOSE - Government Office of the South East

LDD - Local Development Document.

LDF - Local Development Framework.

LSP - Local Strategic Partnership.

LDS - Local Development Scheme

LPA - Local Planning Authority

RSS - Regional Spatial Strategy

SoS - Secretary of State

SCI - Statement of Community Involvement.

SEA - Strategic Environmental Assessment

SPD - Supplementary Planning Document.

SA - Sustainability Appraisal

31

32

Appendix A

Appendix A is a preliminary list of bodies some of which the Council is required to consult plus other bodies which it may consult should it be thought necessary to do so. This list is not exhaustive and can be added to as a result of this consultation process.

33

34

CONAME 02 Airwave 3D Holdings (Kent) Ltd A1 Adan Company Ltd Abbey Developments Ltd ABC Project Accent28 Limited Adams Homes Associates ADE Residents Association Aerotation Age Concern Medway Ltd Ahmadiyya Muslim Association Aircraft Owners & Pilots association Airport Operators Association Airworks Services Alan Dawney Coach Hire Alec's Express Travel Ltd Allhallows Parish Council Alltask Limited Alzheimer’s Society (Rainham (Kent) Support Group) Amadeus Night Club Amberlee Apnar Ghar Aramark Plc Arethusa Venture Centre Arriva Southern Counties Arts Council SE England ASD Coaches Ltd Aylesford Parish Council BAE Systems Barratt (South London) Barton Willmore - Eastern Barton Willmore - London Barton Willmore Anglia BEBCAR (uk) Ltd Bellway Homes Berkeley Homes Berkeley Leisure Group Biffa Big Lottery Fund Birling Parish Council Bond Pearce Boxley Parish Council Bredhurst Parish Council Brett - Head Office Brett Aggregates Western Bridge Wardens College Brimble Lea British Archaeological Society 35

CONAME British Horse Society British Waterways SE British Wind Energy Association Brown Group Bryant Homes - South East BS Pension Fund Trustee Ltd BSK BT Burham Parish Council Burnett Planning & Development Ltd Business Link Kent Cabair Flying Schools Ltd CABE Cable & Wireless Calverton Flying Group Ltd Canterbury Christchurch University Capitec Capstone Park Volunteers Carter Jonas Castle Point Borough Council CBI Cell-Link Ltd Cemex (UK) Limited Centre for Kentish Studies Chalkwell Garage & Coach Hire Chatham & Aylesford Liberal Democrats Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust Chatham Historic Dockyard Volunteer Service Chatham Maritime Trust Chatham Memorial Synagogue Chatham Telephony Centre Chatham Town Centre Forum Chattenden Community Project Chesterton Children's Fund Medway Christian Salvesen Church Commissioners for England Church in Society CI Holdings Citibus Ltd City of Rochester Society Civil Aviation Authority Cleanaway Cliffe and Cliffe Woods Parish Council Cluttons Cluttons LLP Cobham Parish Council Commercial Environment Ltd Connaught Cleaning Service Ltd 36

CONAME Connexions Access Point Connexions Kent and Medway Constantine Construction Co (Medway) Ltd Construction Engineering School Cooling Parish Council Co-op Department Store Corporation of Lloyds Costain Skanska Mowlem Country Land & Business Association (CLA) Countryside Agency South East & London Region Countryside Maritime Limited Countryside Property Courtley Consultants Ltd CPRE Hoo Peninsula CPRE Kent CPRE Medway CPS Group Ltd Creative Environmental Networks (CEN) Crest Nicholson Residential (South East) Ltd Croudace Ltd Crystal's Coaches CSA Ltd Cuxton Countryside Group Cuxton Parish Council CVS Medway CWS South East Co-op Cycling England Cycling England C/O DOT Darland Residents Association Davis Brown Deadwood Group Deanland Airfield Defence Estates Defence Land Agency DEFRA Delphi Diesel Systems Denham Aerodrome Department for Education and Skills Department for Transport Department of Health Department of Transport NW & E Midlands Division Detling Parish Council Dialogue Dickens Country Protection Society Diggerland Ltd Disability Information Disability Rights Commission Dockside Outlet Centre DPDS Consulting Group 37

CONAME DTI DTZ Pieda Consulting Dunedin EDF Energy Elliott-Medway Fineline Elm Court Estate Developments Ltd English Heritage English Nature English Partnerships - (London) English Partnerships HQ Entergy Power Group Environment Agency Equal Opportunities Commission Esporta Essex County Council Ethnic Minority Forum Ethnic Minority Senior Citizen's Association Eurobell West Kent Ltd Fairview New Homes Ltd Faithdean PLC Farleigh Coaches Federation of Small Businesses First Call Care First European Airways Ltd Firstgroup PLC Forestry Authority (Kent and Sussex) Forestry Commission Weald Forest District Fort Amherst and Lines Trust Frances Iles Gallery Frankie and Benny's Freight Transport Association London and SE Region Friends of the Earth (Medway) Frindsbury and Wainscott Community Association Frindsbury Extra Parish Council Frindsbury Hall Nursing Home Fuel Oils (Holdings) Ltd Fuji Copain UK Ltd Fuji Seal Fusion Ltd Gala Clubs Gateway Knowledge Alliance General Aviation Awareness Council George Wimpey Gillingham Business Park Gillingham Football Club Gillingham Partnership Gillingham Town Centre Forum GNER Holdings Ltd

38

CONAME Go-Ahead Group GOSE Gough Planning Services Gravesham Borough Council Greedylegs LTD Green Issues Groundwork Medway Swale Habinteg Housing Association Ltd Halling Parish Council Hands & Gillingham Volunteer Bureau Hands Rochester Volunteer Bureau Hangar E Hanson Aggregates Harlequin Ltd Harrisons Hartlip Parish Council HE Services Health & Safety Executive (Essex) Health and Safety Executive (Surrey) Heli-charter Ltd Hempstead Residents Association Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre Henry Schein (UK) Holdings High Halstow Parish Council Higham Parish Council Highways Agency Hillreed Homes Hindu Sabha Historic Dockyard Historic Dockyard & South East Museums Hub HM Customs and Excise HM Prison Cockham Wood HM Prison Services HND Ltd Holiday Inn (Rochester) Home Builders Federation Home Office Homebase Ltd Hoo St Werburgh Parish Council Hope in the Community Housing Corporation Howard Hutton and Associates HSBC Hunting Consortium of Companies Hutchinson 3G UK ICM Plastic Moulding Ltd ING Inland Revenue Institute of Directors 39

CONAME IPS International LTD Isle of Grain Parish Council Iwade Parish Council J Byrne Ltd J P Packing and Chill Stores Ltd J Sainsbury plc Jaycrest Ltd JobcentrePlus Jonathan Shaw MP Jones Day Jones Lang LaSalle Jubilee Components K Ying Chinese Elderly Association Kala Kendra Kent & Medway Biological Records Centre Kent & Medway Economic Board Kent & Medway Fire and Rescue Services Kent & Medway Learning & Skills Council Kent & Medway Rural Transport Partnership Kent & Medway Safety Camera Partnership Kent & Medway Strategic Health Authority Kent Air Ambulance Trust Kent Ambulance NHS Trust Kent and Thameside Fastrack Kent Archaeological Society Kent Architecture Centre Kent Association For Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Kent Association for the Blind Kent Association For The Disabled Kent Association of Parish Councils Kent Bangladesh Welfare Association Kent Bangladesh Welfare Association (Essex?) Kent Community Housing Trust Kent Council for Voluntary Youth Service Kent County Council Kent County Council - Heritage Conservation Group Kent Downs AONB Unit Kent Energy Centre Kent Ethnic Minorities Disabilities Forum Kent Express Kent Fire and Rescue Service HQ Kent Institute of Art & Design (KIAD) Kent Islamic Centre Kent Malayalee Association Kent Multicultural Community Association Kent Muslim Welfare Association Kent Ornithological Society Kent Police Kent Probation Service 40

CONAME Kent Ramgarhia Darbar - Gurdwara Kent Refugee Action Network Kent Reliance Building Society Kent RIGS Kent RIGS Group M Kent Rural Community Council Kent Sustainable Business Partnership Kent Turkish Welfare Association Kent Wildfowling & Conservation Association, The Kent Wildlife Trust Kent Youth Keystone Centre KGB Cleaning Services (Southern) Ltd KIDS South East Kings Ferry Kingsley Smith Kingsnorth Power Station KTNC Medway Group Kut-O Chinese Association Kwik Save Stores Ltd L C P Automotive Components L Robinson & Co (Gillingham) Ltd La Leche League Of Rochester LA21 Environment Partnership Board LA21 Transport Forum Lafarge Cement UK Lambe & Evans Building Contractors Ltd Land Use Consultants Lapthorne industries LAW Leasing Ltd Legal Services Commission - SE Leigh-on-Sea Town Council Levvel Littman Robeson Lloyds of London Lloyds TSB Bank PLC Lloyds TSB Life Assurance Co Ltd Locate in Kent London and Quadrant Housing Trust Lower Halstow Parish Council Luddesdown Parish Council M & B Marketing M Logistics International M Y Cartons Ltd Mackays of Chatham Plc Maidstone Borough Council Malcolm Judd and Partners Malthouse Ltd Marks & Spencer plc 41

CONAME Masonlite Ltd McCarthy & Stone McCulloch Homes Ltd McDonalds Restaurants Medway & Swale Estuary Partnership Medway Access Group Medway Action Against Racial Attacks (MAARA) Medway Afro Caribbean Association (Gillingham) Medway Afro Caribbean Association (London) Medway and Swale Advocacy Partnerships (Saathi Forum) Medway Arthritis Self Help Medway Association of Independent Taxi Drivers Medway Asthma Self-help Medway Bridge Marina Limited Medway Chamber of Commerce Medway Citizens Advise Bureau (CAB) Medway Community College Medway Community Living Services Ltd Medway Countryside Forum Medway Credit Union Medway Cultural Consortium Medway CVS Medway Cycle Forum Medway Disabled Workers Forum Medway Dyslexia Association Medway Education Business Partnership Medway Enterprise Gateway Medway Ethnic Minority Carers Forum Medway Ethnic Minority Forum Medway Fawcett Society Medway Health Forum Medway Hindu Centre Medway Homestart Medway Inter Faith Action Medway Language Achievement Service Medway Learning Partnership Medway Licensed Taxi Drivers Association Medway Local Strategic Partnership Medway Magna Ltd Medway Mediation Medway Mencap Society Medway NHS Trust Medway Pensioners Forum Medway Ports Medway Providers Forum Medway Racial Equality Council Medway Scout Association Medway Sport and Leisure Park Ltd Medway Teaching Primary Care Trust (PCT) 42

CONAME Medway Towns Conservation Volunteers Medway Towns Crime Prevention Panel Medway Towns Footpath Group Medway Towns Gurdwara Sabha Medway Towns Sports Council Medway Towns Victim Support Scheme Medway Transport Forum Medway Valley Countryside Partnership Medway Waste Forum Medway Youth Parliament Mercury Personal Communications Ltd MeRGe MHS Homes Michael Parkes Chartered Surveyors Micro Medical Mid Kent College Mid Kent Water Ministry of Defence Minster on Sea Parish Council MM2K Moat Housing Society Mobile Operators Association Mono Consultants Multiple Sclerosis Society (Medway Towns Branch) National Farmers Union National Federation of Bus Users National Grid National Grid Transco National Offender Management Service National Playing Fields Association National Probation service Natural Resources Institute Natwest Bank PLC NCH South East Nestledown Beds Ltd Network Rail New Brompton College Newington Parish Council NFU North Kent Chamber of Commerce North Kent Gateway Partnership North Kent Healthcare NHS Trust North Kent Justice Area North Kent Magistrates' Court North Kent Rail Users Group Northfleet Cleaning Services Co Ltd Nu Venture Coaches Ltd O2 UK Oasis Unit, HMP Rochester 43

CONAME Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Open Spaces Society Orange Orbit Housing Association Palm Developments Ltd Paul Clark MP Pentagon Shopping Centre Planning Bureau Planning Inspectorate Popular Flying Association Port Medway Marina Ltd Powergen Ltd Presentation Housing Association Prime Construction Consortium Princess Royal Trust Probation Service Protem (Kent) HGV Punjabi International Cultural Society Queenborough Parish Council R Swain & Sons Ltd R W Graphics Rail Passengers Council Southern England Rainbow Arts Rainham & Gillingham Privacy Care Group Rainham Gillingham and Chatham Amenity Society Rainham Town Centre Forum RAISE Ramblers Association (Kent) Ramblers Association (London) Rebound ECD Ltd (Medway STC) Redhill Air Services Redhill Flight Training Redroute Buses Redrow Homes (Eastern) Ltd Reeves & Neylan Accountants Remploy Ltd RHA RHM Frozen River Medway Business User Group RMC Robert Marshall-Andrews QC MP Robert Turley Associates Rochester Airport Consultative Committee Rochester Airport PLC Rochester Bridge Trust Rochester Cathedral Rochester City Centre Forum Rochester Diocese Rochester Diocese Board of Education 44

CONAME Rochester Independent College Roueagle Ltd Royal Association For Deaf People Royal Mail South East Royal National Institute for Deaf People Royal National Institute for the Blind Royal School of Military Engineering RSPB RSPB South East England Regional Office Rugby Cement Safeway Stores Plc Salvation Army Savills Scout Association Secondsite Property Holdings Ltd SEEBOARD SEEDA SEERA Seneschal Shepherd Neame Sheppy Industries Ltd Shorne Parish Council Showman's Guild of Great Britain Showman's Guild of Great Britain (Staines addr) Sikh Sangat Gurdwara Association Siri Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smith Stuart Reynolds Snodland Town Council Social Inclusion Project For Medway Young People Society Linen Services Ltd Somerfield Stores Ltd South East England Tourist Board South East Regional Cultural Consortium South East Regional Housing Board South-East Trains Southend Borough Council Southend-on-Sea Borough Council Southern England Touring Agency (SETA) Southern Gas Networks Southern Water Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Gillingham Splashes Leisure Pool Sport England - SE Region Sri Guru Ravidass Sabha St. Ives (Gillingham) St. James Isle of Grain Parish Council St. Mary Hoo Parish Council Stahl Engineering Staples 45

CONAME Startrite Designs Ltd Stockbury Parish Council Stoke Parish Council Stoneham Housing Association Ltd Strood District Scout Council Strood Heritage Society Strood Sports Centre Strood Town Centre Forum Strood Youth & Community Centre Sure Start Chatham Sustrans Swale Borough Council Swale PCT Swarlahari Group Sywell Aerodrome Taylor Woodrow Developments Ltd Telewest Communications SE Telspec Plc Tesco Stores Ltd Thames and Medway Canal Association Thames Gateway Kent Partnership Thames Gateway Strategic Executive Thamesport (London Ltd) The Bell Cornwell Partnership The Benefits Agency The Casino Rooms Entertainment Complex The Crown Estate The Exchange Bar The French Hospital The Holdfast Consortium The Information Shop For Young People The Inter Faith Network for the UK The Patman Trust The Post Office Property Holdings The Royal Bank of Scotland The Spemco Group The Universities (Kent and Greenwich) The Upnor Society The word on the street Thurrock Council Tibbett & Britten UK Tim's Travel Ltd T-Mobile (uk) Ltd Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council Tourism South East Town and Country Planning Association Town Planning Consultancy Trail Riders Fellowship Tram and Light Rail Society 46

CONAME Transport for London Trenport Investment Ltd TT Travel Turley Associates UGC Cinemas UK Dog Walkers Union Railways (South) Ltd University of Greenwich at Medway University of Kent at Canterbury University of Kent at Medway Unlock Upbury Arts College Upchurch Parish Council Veetee Rice Ltd Ventmaster Europe Ltd Vigo Parish Council Vincent & Gorbing Vines Centre Trust Vodafone W M Morrisons Wainscott Residents Association Walter & Randall Ward Homes Group Ltd Watson Day Webb Aviation Aerial Photography West Kent Badger Group West Kent Downs Countryside Forum West Kent Health & Social Care Trust West Kent Primary Care Dental Service Westminster Health Care Westminster Pharmaceutical & Paramedics Wilcon Homes Ltd Wilkinsons Hardware Women's Aid Women's National Commission Women's Support Service Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) Wouldham Parish Council Xchanging Ins-Sure Services Young Offenders Institute Youth Justice Board Zyda Law Solicitors

47