Statement of Availability
Plymouth City Council Local Development Framework
Document available for consultation
Submission Statement Of Community Involvement.
This document is available for consultation for six weeks for people to make representation in support or objecting to the Sectary of State, from 8th March to the 19th April, during this time copies of this document and its response form will be available to view at these locations
Location Time documents can be viewed Planning Desk Monday-Friday office hours Civic Centre Plymouth Windsor House Monday-Friday office hours Deriford Plymouth Central Library Monday-Friday office hours Drake Circus Plymouth Crownhill Library Monday: 9am - 7.15pm Cross Park Road Tuesday: 9am - 5.30pm Crownhill Wednesday: 9am - 1pm Plymouth Thursday: 9am - 5.30pm Friday: 9am - 7.15pm Saturday: 9am - 4pm Sunday: closed Devonport Library Monday: 2pm - 6pm Devonport Guildhall Tuesday: closed Ker Street Wednesday: 10am - 12noon Plymouth 2.30pm - 5pm
Thursday: closed Friday: 2pm - 5pm Saturday: 10am - 12.30pm Sunday: closed Efford Library Monday: 1pm - 7pm Efford Lane Tuesday: 9.30am - 12noon Efford 1pm - 5.30pm Plymouth Wednesday: closed Thursday: 9.30am - 12noon 1pm - 5.30pm Friday: 1pm - 5.30pm Saturday: 9.30am - 12.30pm Sunday: closed Eggbuckland Library Monday: 3pm - 5.30pm Eggbuckland Community College Tuesday: closed Westcott Close Wednesday: 3pm - 7pm Eggbuckland Plymouth Thursday: closed Friday: 3pm - 5.30pm Saturday: closed Sunday: closed Ernesettle Library Monday: 2pm - 5.30pm Duxford Close Tuesday: closed Ernesettle Wednesday: 2pm - 5.30pm Plymouth Thursday: closed Friday: 2pm - 7pm Saturday: 9.30am - 12.30pm Sunday: closed Estover Library Monday: 3pm - 5.30pm Estover Community College Tuesday: 3pm - 5.30pm Miller Way Estover Wednesday: 3pm - 5.30pm Plymouth Thursday: closed Friday: 3pm - 7pm Saturday: 9.30am - 12.30pm Sunday: closed Laira Library Monday: 2pm - 5pm 240 Old Laira Road Tuesday: closed Laira Wednesday: 2pm - 5pm Plymouth Thursday: closed Friday: 9am - 12.30pm 2pm - 6pm Saturday: 9.30am - 12.30pm Sunday: closed North Prospect Library Monday: 2pm - 5pm Wolseley Road Tuesday: closed North Prospect Wednesday: 2pm - 5pm Plymouth Thursday: closed Friday: 9am - 12.30pm 2pm - 6pm Saturday: 9.30am - 12.30pm Sunday: closed Peverell Library Monday: 9am - 7pm 242A Peverell Park Road Tuesday: 9am - 5.30pm Peverell Wednesday: closed Plymouth Thursday: 9am - 5.30pm Friday: 9am - 7pm Saturday: 9am - 4pm Sunday: closed Plympton Library Harewood Monday: 9am - 7pm Plympton Tuesday: 9am - 7pm Plymouth Wednesday: 9am - 1pm
Thursday: 9am - 7pm Friday: 9am - 7pm Saturday: 9am - 5pm Sunday: closed Plymstock Library Monday: 9am - 7pm Horn Cross Road Tuesday: 9am - 7pm Plymstock Wednesday: 9am - 1pm Plymouth Thursday: 9am - 7pm Friday: 9am - 7pm Saturday: 9am - 5pm Sunday: closed
St. Budeaux Library Monday: 9am - 7pm The Square Tuesday: 9am - 6pm Victoria Road Wednesday: 9am - 1pm St Budeaux Plymouth Thursday: 9am - 6pm Friday: 9am - 7pm Saturday: 9am - 5pm Sunday: closed Southway Library Monday: 9am - 7pm 351 Southway Drive Tuesday: 9am - 6pm Southway Wednesday: closed Plymouth Thursday: 9am - 6pm Friday: 9am - 7pm Saturday: 9am - 4pm Sunday: closed Stoke Library Monday: 2pm - 7pm 21 Albert Road Tuesday: 9.30am - 1pm Stoke 2pm - 5.30pm Plymouth Wednesday: closed Thursday: 9.30am - 1pm 2pm - 5.30pm Friday: 2pm - 7pm Saturday: 9.30am - 12.30pm Sunday: closed West Park Library Monday: 2pm - 7pm 423 - 425 Crownhill Road Tuesday: 9am - 5pm West Park Wednesday: 9am - 1pm Plymouth Thursday: 9am - 5pm Friday: 2pm - 7pm Saturday: 9am - 4pm Sunday: closed North Prospect Housing Office Monday-Thursday 8.45- 91/93 North Prospect road 12.30 then 1.30- 4.30 North Prospect Friday 8.45-12.30 then 1.30 -4.00 Plymouth Ernesettle Housing Office Monday 8.45-12.30 then 1.30-4.30 7 Warmwell Road Friday 8.45-12.30 then 1.30-4.00 Ernesettle Plymouth Whitleigh Housing Office Monday-Thursday 8.45-12.30 then 101 Whitleigh Green 1.30-4.30 Whitleigh Friday 8.45-12.30 then 1.30-4.00 Plymouth Southway Housing Office Monday 8.45-12.30 then 1.30-4.30 65 Rockfield Avenue Friday 8.45-12.30 then 1.30-4.00 Southway Plymouth Honicknowle Housing Office Monday 8.45-12.30 then 1.30-4.30 18 Honicknowle Green Friday 8.45-12.30 then 1.30-4.00 Honicknowle Plymouth Devonport Housing Office Monday-Thursday 8.45-12.30 then 10 Granby Way 1.30-4.30 Devonport Friday 8.45-12.30 then 1.30-4.00 Plymouth Estover Office Monday-Thursday 8.45-12.30 then Leypark Walk 1.30-4.30 Estover Friday 8.45-12.30 then 1.30-4.00 Plymouth Efford Housing Office Monday 8.45-12.30 then 1.30-4.30 21D Torridge Way Friday 8.45-12.30 then 1.30-4.00 Efford Plymouth
The Document will also be available to view at Plymouth City Councils Web page www.Plymouth.gov.uk In the Planning Section.
Representations on the document can be return to:
By Post Strategy Unit Planning and Regeneration Plymouth City Council The Civic Centre Plymouth PL1 2EW
By Email [email protected]
Representations must be received with in the six week consultation period running from 8th March to the 19th April. Only those representations received during the consultation period can be considered and should be on the representation forms provided.
For any further information or if you would like any document to be available in brail, audio form or in any other language please contact the Strategy Unit, Planning and Regeneration, Plymouth City Council, The Civic Centre, Plymouth, PL1 2EW Statement of Proposal Matters
Plymouth City Councils Local Development Framework
Statement of Community Involvement
The following details relate to the submission stage of the Statement of Community Involvement and comply with The Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2004, Regulation 28.
Proposed title of Proposed subject Matter: Geographical Consultation Coverage Document: Statement Of The guidelines for community City of Community Involvement consultation for the Local Plymouth Development Framework and consultation on Planning Applications The Consultation Period for this document is six weeks and will run from March 8th to the 19th April 2006, 5pm, all representation must be received in this time.
Representation should be sent
By Post to: The Planning Policy Manager By Email to: Strategy Unit [email protected] Planning and Regeneration Service Plymouth City Council The Civic Centre By Fax to: Plymouth 01752 304294 PL1 2EW
Request to be notified, if you would like to be notified when the Planning Inspectors recommendations are published following his/ her independent examination of the document on behalf of the Sectary of State or to be notified of the adoption please complete the form below.
Please notify me when the Planning Inspector’s recommendations are published following his/ her independent examination of the document on behalf of the Sectary of State or to be notified of the adoption of the Statement of Community Involvement (please tick as required)
Publication of Adopted recommendations Statement of Community Involvement Name: Address: Postcode: Email address: Signature
Please return this form to The Planning Policy Manager, Strategy Unit, Planning and Regeneration, Plymouth City Council, The Civic Centre, Plymouth, PL1 2EW
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
Subject: Plymouth Local Development Framework: Submission Document - Statement of Community Involvement. Committee: Cabinet
Date: 20th December 2005 Cabinet Member: Councillor Mrs Nelder
CMT Member: Director for Development Author: Mike Palmer Strategy Manager Contact: Tel: (01752 (30)4360 e-mail: [email protected] Ref: SU/MDP. C74 05/06 Part: I
Executive Summary:
The report brings before Cabinet the first of the emerging Local Development Framework (LDF) documents, the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI), seeking approval for its submission to the Secretary of State for progression through an independent examination to final adoption.
The purpose of the SCI is to set out the local planning authority’s strategy for involving the community in the preparation and revision of Plymouth’s LDF and in the consideration of planning applications. Its intention is to improve the planning process by ensuring everyone’s views are taken into account.
The requirements for the preparation and adoption of the SCI are set out in the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Order Act 2004, and its associated regulations. When adopted, the SCI will have the status of a Development Plan Document within the new Plymouth Local Development Framework. This means that the consultation stages for all planning policy documents and planning applications must comply with the standards set out the SCI. If these commitments are not met, then the decision can be regarded as failing the ‘test of soundness’, and further consultations will have to be held.
As with all other Development Plan Documents, before it is adopted, the SCI must be submitted to the Secretary of State for ‘independent examination’. The purpose of the examination will be to test whether it is ‘soundly based’. The Government sets out, in Planning Policy Statement 12, ‘Local Development Frameworks’, the nine tests of soundness which local planning authority’s must demonstrate their SCI satisfies.
The process for the preparation and adoption of the SCI has included the following stages:- • An Interim SCI, reflecting the government’s minimum standards for community consultation, was published in July 2004. • Consultation on the Interim SCI was carried out as part of the wider LDF Issues/Options consultation stage during March /April 2005. • To help develop the SCI, a Task Group of community representatives and members of the public (including hard to reach groups) was set up. The Task Group met nine times between the period February 2004 – August 2005, as well as holding a final ‘sign off’ meeting in November 2005. • A further consultation on the Draft SCI was undertaken at the wider LDF Preferred Options stage during August /September 2005. • At the Preferred Options stage, (September 2005), a separate consultation event was held to establish the views of so-called “hard to reach groups” on the SCI. • The process of revising the SCI, to reflect the comments received during the above stages, has been reported to the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel at their meetings on 29th September 2005 and 26th October 2005.
The outcome from all these consultation initiatives have been addressed in the latest version of the published Statement of Community Involvement. (A summary report of the comments made on the SCI at the Preferred Options Stage will be published on the PCC Web page as a background report to the submission document.)
Cabinet approval in now sought for the SCI’s formal submission to the Secretary of State, to be progressed through an independent examination to final adoption.
Corporate Plan 2004-2007:
The Corporate Plan identifies publication of the LDF as a key element of delivering the objective of providing “a strong strategic framework to promote investment, guide development and safeguard our built and natural environment”. It includes a series of targets relating to core LDF documents.
The SCI forms a statutory part of Plymouth’s LDF and will, by helping to improve the planning process - ensuring everyone’s views are taken into account, contribute directly to other objectives and targets of the Corporate Strategy, most notably: • Delivering the Mackay Vision and improving the quality of design across the city, through appropriate spatial planning and design policy frameworks. • Improving development control performance, through providing an up to date and robust policy framework. • Working with developers to bring forward key developments at City Centre and waterfront sites and Strategic Opportunity Areas and Sites, through provision of supportive general and site-specific policy frameworks and enabling powers such as Compulsory Purchase Orders to be used effectively. • Providing clear plans for future investment that helps secure Government and other funds for transport priorities, through identifying strategic infrastructure needs in association with the spatial planning strategy. • Ensuring an adequate level and choice of employment land and premises, through land use allocations. • Implementing a £38m PFI for schools, through appropriate land use allocations. • Ensuring an adequate supply of affordable housing to meet Plymouth’s housing needs, through land use allocations and policies. • Making the best use of the Council’s land and buildings, through providing a planning policy context to support delivery of services and corporate strategies.
Implications for Medium Term Financial Plan and Resource Implications: Including finance, human, IT and land
The financial implications of progressing the SCI to adoption have already been covered in a separate report to Cabinet (dated 12th July 2005), which considered the overall financial implications of meeting on Plymouth’s Local Development Scheme.
Other Implications: e.g. Section 17 Community Safety, Health and Safety, Risk Management, etc.
The LDF will directly support the promotion of community safety through the provision of policies to influence the design and nature of physical development.
Recommendations & Reasons for recommended action:
It is recommended that the Cabinet:
1 Approve the Statement of Community Involvement for submission to the Secretary of State for progression through an independent examination to formal adoption.
Reason: To meet the publication targets set out in the approved Local Development Scheme.
2 Delegate authority to the Head of Planning and Regeneration to agree the final publication format of the Statement of Community Involvement, subject to any significant changes to the content of the documents being agreed with the Strategic Planning Policy Portfolio Holder before their publication.
Reason: To comply with the new planning legislation and enable the City Council to proceed towards a Local Development Framework at the earliest opportunity in accordance with the performance standards set out in BVPI 200.
Alternative options considered and reasons for recommended action:
The only real options for the Council relate to its content and to the timing of its submission. There is a statutory requirement to prepare and adopt an SCI, setting out the local planning authority’s strategy for involving the community in the preparation and revision of Plymouth’s LDF and in the consideration of planning applications.
While the Local Planning Authority can work to government’s minimum standards for community involvement, as set out in their guidance, as an interim measure, the preparation and adoption of its own SCI has to be undertaken at some stage, preferably before any of the Policy documents that will make up the LDF are subject to their final consultation stage prior to submission to the secretary of state.
Officers have prepared this SCI on the basis of their professional evaluation of the issues and evidence, taking into account the views expressed by the public, and recommend its submission to the Secretary of State in line with the current LDS timetable.
Background papers:
City of Plymouth Local Plan, adopted 1996.
Community Planning Studies for Plymouth and wards, May 2001.
City of Plymouth First Deposit Local Plan, December 2001.
Report of Director of Development to Cabinet, 13th July 2004: Plymouth Local Development Framework (Local Development Scheme and Statement of Community Involvement).
Report of Director of Development to Cabinet, 9th November 2004: Sustainable Communities Plan for the South West.
Report of Director of Development to Cabinet, 14th December 2004: Plymouth Local Development Framework: Local Development Scheme, Status of Existing Policies, and Safeguarding Issues.
Local Development Scheme. Submitted. January 2005 (this document includes a detailed list of the evidence base for each LDD).
Preliminary Sustainable Appraisals for LDDs. March 2005.
Plymouth, SE Cornwall and SW Devon to 2026 consultation leaflet, March 2005.
Report of Director of Development to Cabinet, 15th March 2005: Plymouth, South East Cornwall and South West Devon Sub Regional Strategy: Sustainable Growth Options.
Report of Director of Development to Cabinet, 14th June 2005: Regional Spatial Strategy: Informal policy proposals for the Plymouth, SE Cornwall and SW Devon Joint Study Area.
Report of Director for Life Long Learning to Cabinet, 14th June 2005: School Implementation Plan 2005-2015.
Responses to LDF Issues and Options consultation, June 2005. (Summary report of consultation).
Minutes of the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel at their meetings on 29th September 2005 and 26th October 2005
Royal Town Planning Institute, November 2005, Guideline on Effective Community Involvement and Consultation.
Sign off: Fin DF560023 Leg JR HR N/a AM N/a IT N/a Originating CMF Member 1 BACKGROUND
1.1 The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 received Royal Assent on 13th May 2004. Its provisions relating to development planning came into effect on 28th September 2004.
1.2 The Act, and its associated regulations, provide for the preparation of Local Development Documents (LDDs) which together will constitute Plymouth’s new Local Development Framework (LDF).
1.5 This report is concerned with the submission to the Secretary of State of the first of Plymouth’s emerging LDF documents – the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI).
1.6 The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) sets out a proposed framework and standards for community involvement in the LDF and development control process. Its intention is to improve the planning process by ensuring that mechanisms are in place to enable everyone’s views on planning matters to be taken into account.
1.7 The requirements for the preparation and adoption of the SCI are set out in the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Order Act 2004, and its associated regulations. When adopted, the SCI will have the status of a Development Plan Document within the new system of planning documents for Plymouth known as the Local Development Framework. This means that the consultation stages for all planning policy documents and planning applications must comply with the standards set out the SCI. If these commitments are not met, then the decision can be regarded as failing the ‘test of soundness’, and further consultations will have to be held.
1.8 As with all other Development Plan Documents, before it is adopted, the SCI must be submitted to the Secretary of State for ‘independent examination’. The purpose of the examination will be to test whether it is ‘soundly based’. The Government sets out, in Planning Policy Statement 12, ‘Local Development Frameworks’, the nine tests of soundness which local planning authority’s must demonstrate their SCI satisfies.
2. PROCESS
2.1 The process for the preparation and adoption of the SCI is set out in statutory regulations. It includes the following key stages: • Preparation. Authorities are expected to consult with communities and stakeholders as part of the scoping / preparation of the draft SCI. • Preferred Options. A Draft SCI must be published and subject to a 6 week period during which formal representations can be made. • Submission. The SCI should then be amended and formally “submitted” to Government. • Independent examination. An independent examination will be held, over seen by a Planning Inspector, whose report will be binding on the Council. • Adoption. Following receipt of the inspector’s report, which may require changes to the SCI, following which the Council can formally adopt the SCI.
2.2 The Preparation / scoping stage for the SCI, took place between July 2004 and July 2005. This involved publishing an initial draft SCI as a basis for engaging with all interested parties, as well as a more formal consultation period during the LDF Issues /Options stage. The length of this preparation period reflects the fact that, while Plymouth made a timely start to preparing its LDF documents, this initial period has seen a number of government publications providing further detailed LDF guidance, which has necessitated adjustments to the content of the SCI and other LDF documents. However, this extended initial preparation period has enabled a wide range of views to be sought and incorporated into the final document. This initial preparation /scoping stage has included: • Approval by Cabinet in July 2004, for consultation purposes, of an initial draft SCI. This document was made available on request, and could be viewed on the city council web site, providing a basis for discussion with interested parties so as to evolve the SCI to the next stage. • A formal consultation period, during the LDF Issues/Options consultation period of March /April 2005, when the SCI was advertised for public comment. There was only one formal comment at this stage, which requested that the respondent be identified as a non statutory consultee in the SCI. (They have subsequently been included on the LDF mailing list.) • During this period an SCI Task Group was established, to advise the City Council on its SCI preparation. This group was made up of both representatives from community partnerships, as well as representatives from the ‘hard to reach groups’. It also included members who responded to the request for volunteers for the Task Group, which was made at the Issues /Options launch of the LDF. The Task group met 9 times during the period Feb.2004 – Aug. 2005, making a significant contribution to the evolution of the SCI.
2.3 The Preferred Options consultation stage took place during the six week period 29th July to 9th September 2005. This involved publishing a revised draft SCI, as a basis for further formal public consultation. This revised document reflected both the comments received during the preparation stage, as well as changes to reflect the latest government guidance. As part of this consultation process a specific consultation event was held, in conjunction with the Local Transport Plan consultation, specifically to listen to the views of so-called “hard to reach groups”. The events were facilitated by Corporate Diagnostics on behalf of PCC, carried out during Sept. 2005, and specifically targeted the Young, Older People, Disabled, & Black Minority Ethnic groups. Plymouth Pride Forum requested to simply be forwarded all the consultation material.
2.4 The SCI Preferred Options report included the following key elements / provisions: • It set out the Council’s objectives for community involvement in the LDF and planning applications. • It identified key principles of community involvement in the planning process, including the “front-loading” principle concerning the need for early engagement of people in the planning process. • It identified a range of consultation processes and methods that may be used at different stages of the plan-making process. • It also set a framework for consultation on planning applications, including the need for pre-application consultation by applicants in respect of significant development control proposal.
2.5 The SCI was generally well received at this Preferred Options stage, although a number of concerns were raised. All respondents were asked, through a structured questionnaire, to both express a view as to whether the draft SCI met each of the government’s nine ‘tests of soundness’, as well as given the opportunity to make further comments on the SCI itself. From a total of 39 responses from organisations and individuals, there were more than twice as many supports than concerns raised, in a general ratio of 2.5 supports to every one concern raised. On average, most respondents were satisfied that the Draft SCI met the governments nine ‘tests of soundness’. In general 30%– 40% of the responses were satisfied, compared to the 10% - 20% of responses which queried whether it met one or more of the ‘tests of soundness. However, these figures need to be seen within the context that there were a significant number of responses where the respondent chose not to express a view one way or the other, but simply raised a matter to be considered in revising the draft SCI.
2.6 The process of revising the SCI, to reflect the comments received during the above stages, has been reported to the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel at their meetings on 29th September 2005 and 26th October 2005.
2.7 A background report summarising the issues raised at this stage will be published on the Council’s web site, but the key issues arising fall within the following broad areas: • There is a need for greater clarity within the document through the use of Plain English and avoidance of technical jargon, as well better formatting. • There is a need to highlight the relevance of the SCI to individuals. It needs to demonstrate how the adoption of the SCI is going to make a difference. • There is a need to develop more effective consultation methods. For example the greater use of DVDs, TV, Radio, as well as giving talks / presentations to schools and other groups. • There needs to be a clear commitment to provide sufficient financial resources to ensure the city’s aspirations to involve everyone can be effectively met. • There is a need for longer consultation timescales, with better notification as to when they are going to take place. • There is a healthy scepticism of whether the Council will act on the responses it receives from consultation events, but a recognition that overcoming this will take time. There is a need to build trust, and provide more ‘feedback’ and how the Council has responded to the public’s views.
3 NEXT STEPS.
3.1 Following submission of the SCI to the Secretary of State, it will be published, (along with a number of supporting documents), allowing a 6 week period during which formal representations on the SCI can be lodged with the Council. Following this there will be a further 6 week period during which all the representations made will be published, enabling further representations to be made. Assuming that there are representations to be heard there will an inquiry chaired by an independent inspector, whose report will set out any changes that have to be made to the SCI before it is finally adopted by the Council.
Appendix A - Detailed List of Consultees
3G Child Support Agency Academy Variety Workshop Children & Young People's Strategic Partnership Activ8 Communities Ltd Chinese Cultural Development Centre Adelaide Street Surgery Church Commissioners for England Aggregate Industries Church View Surgery AHIMSA Civil Aviation Authority Alder King Cleanaway Ltd All Saints House Coastal Waste Allsop Matcham Colebrook Housing Society Antony Parish Council Colin Buchanan Armada Surgery College of St Mark and St John Ashtorre Rock Community Centre College Road Primary School Associated British Ports Collings Park Medical Centre Association of Barbican Businesses Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment Asylum Seekers & Refugee Service Commission for Racial Equality Austin Farm Community Primary School Commnet AZ Urban Studio Common Purpose Barbican Association Community Fund Barn Owl Trust Compton Church of England Primary School Barne Barton Community School Connexions Barton Surgery Conservative party Barton Willmore Planning Partnership - Western Constituenacy Office BBC South West Contracts Management Section BDA Consulting Coombe Dean School Beaumont Villa Surgery COPTE Belliver Tenants & Residents Association Cornwall Centre for Volunteers Bettison and Co Cornwall County Council Bevan Ashfords Cornwall Paper Company Bickleigh Parish Council Corporate Director for Housing Services Biffa Waste Services Ltd Cory Environmental Services Ltd Bikeaway Countryside Agency Bond Pearce Countryside and Leisure Service Boringdon Primary School County Environmental Services Ltd Bovis Homes Limited Courtlands Brake Farm Ltd CPR Regeneration British Telecom CPRE Devon Brittany Ferries Crownhill Estates Ltd Brixton Parish Council Crownhill Library Budshead Health Centre Crownhill Surgery * Budshead Trust Cumberland Surgery * Bull Point Community School Cyclist Touring Club Business In The Community D & C Learning & Skills Council Business Link Devon & Cornwall Dartmoor National Park C/o Morris Baptist Church Dean Cross Surgery C/o PGVS Defense Logistic Organisation Cable and Wireless Department for Constitutional Affairs Callington Community Centre Department for Culture Media and Sport Callington Health Centre Department for Education and Skills Callington Library Department for Transport Callington Town Council Department of Trade and Industry Calstock Parish Council Department of Work and Pensions Estates Cann Estate Derriford East, Birdgage Residents Association Capital Planning Devon & Cornwall Housing Association Caradon District Council Devon & Cornwall Police Care & Repair Devon & Cornwall Probation Service Carlton ITV Westcountry Devon & Cornwall Refugee Support Council Cathedral School of St Mary Devon and Cornwall Business Council Cattewater Harbour Commissioners Devon and Cornwall Constabulary CBI Devon and Cornwall Housing Association Cerco Property Consultants Devon Community Foundation Chaddlewood Farm Community Centre Devon Conservation Forum Chaddlewood Infant School Devon Co-operative Development Agency Chaddlewood Junior School Devon County Council Chard Road Surgery Devon Fire and Rescue Service Chaucer Primary School Devon Waste Management Chesterton Devonport and Western Area Health and Safety Group Appendix A - Detailed List of Consultees
Chief Ambulance Service Devonport High School for Boys Devonport High School for Girls Greenbank Neighbourhood Office Devonport Library Groundwork Trust Devonport Management Ltd Guild of Voluntary Services Devonport Regeneration Community Partnership GVA Grimley Devplan UK Halcyon Centre DIAC Ham Drive Nursery School Dialogue Communicating Planning Hamoaze House Disability Rights Commission Hanover Housing Association Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee Harbour Centre Downham Special School Health and Safety Executive Drake Primary School Hearing & Sight Centre Duchy of Cornwall Hele's School Dug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) High Street Primary School Dunstone Community Primary School Highfield Primary School Durnford Society Highways Agency East End Partnership Hillside EAZ HM Land Registry Ecological Sciences Ltd HM Naval Base Eddystone Trust Holy Cross Catholic Primary School Efford Library Home Office Efford Surgery Homelessness Strategy Implementation Group Efford Youth and Community Centre Honicknowle Commnet Eggbuckland Community College Honicknowle Green Med. Centre Eggbuckland Library Hooe Primary School Eggbuckland Vale Primary School House Builders Federation Elburton Primary School Housing Corporation Elm Surgery Housing for People Office Employment Service Housing Strategy and Development English Cities Fund Hyde Park Infant School English Nature Hyde Park Junior School English Partnerships Hyde Park Surgery Environment & Sustainability Partnership Ian Penrose Architects Environment Agency Imery's Minerals Ltd, Estates Environmental Sealand Services Ltd Independent Party Equal Opportunities Commission Inland Revenue Ernesettle Family Centre Institute of Directors Plymouth Centre Ernesettle Green Surgery Integrem Limited Ernesettle Infant School Ivybridge Town Council Ernesettle Junior School Jan Cutting HLC Ernesettle Library Job Centre Plus Estover Community College John Kitto Community College Estover Library Jones Day Estover Primary School Jubb Consulting Engineers Ltd European Metal Recycling Keyham Barton Catholic Primary School Evening Herald Keyham Community Partnership Family and Parent Learning Service King Strurge & Co Federation of Small Businesses King Sturge First Group Kingdon House Community Centre Floor 2 Kings Wharf Foot Anstey Sargent Kinnfylde Residents Association Ford Primary School Knight Frank Forestry Commission Knowle House Surgery Form Design Group Architects Knowle Primary School Fortress Credit Union KPMG Fosca Services (UK) Ltd Labour Framptons Chartered Town Planning Consultants Lacey Hickie Caley Frederick Street Centre Laira Green Primary School Freedom Health Centre Laira Library Friary House Surgery Laity House FROST Land Securities Properties Ltd Gervas Property Landulph Parish Council Glen Park Primary School Langley Infant School Glenside Medical Centre Langley Junior School Golden Girls & Boys Lanteglos Parish Council Goosewell Primary School Learning & Skills Council Appendix A - Detailed List of Consultees
Government Office for the South West Leigham Primary School Granby Island Community Centre Leigham Residents Association Lennon Planning PHDU Levvel Consulting Ltd Pilgrim Primary School Leypark Surgery * Pillaton Parish Council Liberal Democrat Pirate FM Linkinhorne Parish Council Plaistow Hill Infant School Lipson Community College Plym River Practice Lisson Grove Medical Centre Plym View Primary School Longcause Community Special School Plymbridge Nursery School Maker with Rame Parish Council Plymouth & District Disabled Fellowship Manadon Vale Primary School Plymouth & South West Co-operative Society Mannamead Surgery Plymouth & West Devon Talking Newspaper Marine South West Plymouth 2020 Partnership Maritime Plymouth Plymouth Access To Housing Marlborough Primary School Plymouth Age Concern Marlborough Street Surgery Plymouth Architectural Trust Mary Dean's Church of England Primary School Plymouth Central Library Maze Consulting Plymouth CFE Meadowlands Leisure Pool Plymouth Chamber of Commerce Midas Construction Plymouth Citizens Advice Bureau Mill Ford Community Special School Plymouth City Centre Partnership Millbay Advisory Forum Plymouth City Council, Housing Services Millbrook Parish Council Plymouth Citybus Millfields CEDT Plymouth Civic Society MoD Defence Estate Organisation Plymouth College of Art and Design Montpelier Infant School Plymouth College of Further Education Montpelier Junior School Plymouth Community Network Morice Town Primary School Plymouth Community Partnership Mount Gould Neighbourhood Association Plymouth Community Safety Partnership Mount Street Primary School Plymouth Deaf Association Mount Tamar School Plymouth Education Action Zone Mount Wise Primary School Plymouth Environment Forum National Grid Transco Plymouth Excellence Cluster National Playing Fields Association Plymouth Family Support Services National Trust Plymouth Guild of Voluntary Service NCH Action for Children Plymouth High School For Girls Neighbourhood Voluntary Visiting Service Plymouth Hospital School Network Rail Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust New Earth Solutions Plymouth Learning & Work Partnership North Plymouth Playschemes Plymouth Learning Links North Prospect Community School Plymouth Library Services North Prospect Garage Project Plymouth Manufacturers Group North Prospect Library Plymouth MENCAP Society North Prospect Partnership Plymouth Mencap Society North Prospect Regeneration Forum Plymouth Mental Health Forum North Road West Med Centre Plymouth MIND North Road West Tenants & Residents Association Plymouth Money Advice Group Northern Networks Plymouth Muscians Cooperative Notre Dame Roman Catholic School Plymouth Network Consortium Nova Surgery * Plymouth PCT O2 Plymouth Pride Forum Oakside Surgery * Plymouth Primary Care Trust Office of Government Commerce Plymouth Racial Equality Council Office of the Vice Chancellor Plymouth Relate Old Priory Junior School Plymouth Religious & Cultural Resource Centre on behalf of Devon Stone Federation Plymouth Shopmobility & Community Transport Orange Plymouth Tuition Service Oreston Community Primary School Plymouth Women's Aid P & O Properties Plymouth Women's Refuge Paper Converting Plymouth YWCA Park View Surgery * Plympton Library Parkside Community Technology College Plympton St Mary's Church of England Infant School Pathfields Practice Plympton St Maurice Primary School Pennycross Primary School Plymstock Forum Penrilla Consultants Plymstock Library Appendix A - Detailed List of Consultees
PETRA Plymstock School Peverell Library Police Authority Peverell Park Surgery Pomphlett Primary School Port of Plymouth Marine Liaison St Budeaux Foundation Church of England Junior School Powergen St Budeaux Library Prestige Design and Build Ltd St Cleer Parish Council Prince Rock Primary School St Dominic Parish Council Prosper St Edward's Church of England Primary School PYPA 21 St George's Church of England Primary School Queens Harbour Master Plymouth St Joseph's Catholic Primary School R Cundy & Sons (Farms) Ltd St Neot Parish Council Racial Equality Council St Neots Surgery Radio Devon St Paul's Roman Catholic Primary School Rapleys LLP St Peter's Church of England Primary School Really Useful Knowledge Consultants St Peter's Roman Catholic Primary School Rees Youth & Community Centre St Peter's Vicarage Refugee Action St Veep Parish Council RIBA Community Architecture Network St Winnow Parish Council Ridgeway Practice St. Barnabas Surgery * Ridgeway School St. Budeaux Health centre Roborough Surgery Stagecoach Devon Rockeagle Ltd Stoke Damerel Community College Routeways Stoke Damerel Primary School RPB Autosalvage Stoke Library Rural Community Council of Devon Stoke Surgery Salisbury Road Infant School Stonehouse ACTION Salisbury Road Junior School Stonehouse Playspace Association Salisbury Road Surgery Stonham Housing Association Ltd Saltash Road Surgery Strategic Rail Authority Saltash Town Council Stratton Creber Commercial Salvation Army Strutt and Parker Sanctuary Housing Association Stuart Road Primary School Savills Sure Start Keystone Scott Wilson Sure Start Plus/Teenage Pregnancy Service Seaton Area Residents Association Sure Start Tamar Folk Secretary of State for Health SUSTRANS Seven Hills Community Network Sutherland Road Surgery Severnside Waste Paper Co Ltd Sutton Harbour Company Shaugh Prior Parish Council SW RDA Shekinah Mission SW Skills for Life Unit SHIP Hostel SWEB Energy Sid Knowles Waste Ltd T Mobile Signpost Housing Association Tactic Consultants Simsmetal UK (Wessex) Ltd Tamar Bridge and Tamar Ferry Joint Committee Sir John Hunt Community College Tamar Development Trust Skills For Life Unit Tamar Education Business Partnership Social Security Office Tamar Housing Society South Dartmoor Leisure Centre Tamar Science Park South Devon AONB Unit Tamar View Residents Association South Hams District Council Tamarside Community College South Hill Parish Council Tamerton Foliot Village Conservation Sociaty South Trelawny Primary School Tamerton Vale Primary School South West Peninsula Strategic Health Authority Tavistock Bus Station Kiosk South West Public Health Group Telewest coms South West Region, Learning and Skills Council The Architects Design Group South West Regional Assembly The Architects Design Group South West Regional Committee of Jehovah's Witness The British Wind Energy Association South West Water The Foyer Southway Information Centre The Gypsy Council Southway Library The Monitoring Group - Rural Racism Project Southway Primary School The Phoenix Centre Southway Surgery The Surgery Sovereign Housing Association Thornbury Primary School Sparkwell Parish Council Tomorrow's People Sport England Torbay Borough Council SRB Board Member Torpoint Chamber of Commerce Appendix A - Detailed List of Consultees
SRB Board Member Torpoint Library SRB Company Treasurer Torpoint Town Council St Andrew's Church of England Primary School Toshiba Ltd Audio & Magnetron St Boniface's Roman Catholic College Tothill Library Tothill surgery Westbury Homes (Holdings) Ltd Transport 2000 Westcountry Housing Association Trelawney Community Centre Westcountry Publications Trelawny Surgery * Westcountry Tourist Board Trevorder Family Centre Western Power Distribution University of Plymouth Weston Mill CP School Urban Splash South West Whitleigh CP School Urban Village Widewell Primary School Vickery Holman Widewell Residents Association Victim Support Devon Widey Court Primary School Victoria Road Primary School William Sutton Trust Viner Fulfords Wolseley CEDT Virgin Cross Country Wood Yew Waste Virgin Mobile Woodfield Primary School Viridor Waste Management Ltd Woodford Infant School Vodafone Woodford Junior School Voice of Plymouth Schools Woodlands Warleggan Parish Meeting Working Links Waterloo & St Levan Surgeries Wrescombe Court Welcome Hall Ltd Wyclifffe Surgery Wembury Parish Council Wykeham Securities West Devon Borough Council Yealmpstone Farm Primary School West Hoe Surgery Youth Enquiry Service West Park Library Youth of the Nations West Park Primary School Youth Offending Team
Title First Last Name Company Response Name/Initia l Mr John Baker Plymouth City Council Apologies Mr Richard Bayly Government Office South West Apologies Mr Martin Berkien University of Plymouth Apologies Mr Bob Bewley English Heritage Apologies Mr Adam Broome Corporate Director for Corporate Resources Apologies
Mr Jim Caley Lacey Hickie Caley Apologies Ms Prue Chalker North Prospect Partnership Apologies Ms Lesley Chalmers English Cities Fund Apologies Inspec tor Paul Chudley Devon & Cornwall Constabulary Apologies Mr Jason Collard Urban Splash South West Apologies Ms June Crossland National Trust Apologies Counci llor Susan Dann Apologies Mr Andrew Davies Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust Apologies Ms Barbara Dove Plymouth Age Concern Apologies Mr Bob Dow Business Link Devon & Cornwall Apologies Mr Drennan Sport England Apologies Mr Colin Greenwell Associated British Ports Apologies Mr Nick Harrington SW RDA Apologies Mr Peter Harrison Institute of Directors Plymouth Centre Apologies Mr Nick Heath MoD Defence Estate Organisation Apologies Ms Bryony Houlden Chief Executive, South West Regional Apologies Assembly Cdr Ian Hugo Queens Harbour Master Plymouth Apologies Mr Duncan Innes English Partnerships Apologies David Jamieson House of Commons Apologies Mr Tim Jones Devon and Cornwall Business Council Apologies Mr Barry Keel Plymouth City Council Apologies Ms Bronwen Lacey Plymouth City Council Apologies Ms Deborah Lapthorne Corporate Director for Public Health Apologies Profes sor Roland Levinsky University of Plymouth Apologies Mr David Lobban Penrilla Consultants Apologies Mr Longden Brittany Ferries Apologies Mr Murdo Mace Midas Construction Apologies Sir Roy McNulty Chair, Civil Aviation Authority Apologies Mr Ian Miller First Group Apologies Sir John Parker National Grid Transco Apologies Mr Ian Parsons Highways Agency, Network Strategy Team Apologies
Counci llor Chris Pattison Apologies Mr Ian Potts The Architects Design Group Apologies Mr Mike Robinson Plymouth City Council Apologies Mr Chas Shaw PETRA Apologies Counci llor Peter Smith Apologies Mr Garvis Snook Rockeagle Ltd Apologies Mr John Steven Wykeham Securities Apologies Gary Streeter House of Commons Apologies Mr Clive Turner Corporate Director for Housing Services Apologies Mr Mark Vincent Plymouth City Council Apologies Mr Morris Watts Devon & Cornwall Police Apologies Counci llor George Wheeler Apologies Mr Richard Willoughby Plymouth City Council Apologies Mr Colin Yelland Aggregate Industries Apologies Sir/Ma Scott Wilson Apologies dam Mr Bert Massie, Disability Rights Commission Apologies CBE Mr John Ackroyd Plymouth Citybus Attending Mr Garth Allen Really Useful Knowledge Consultants Attending Mr Don Allen Transport 2000 Attending Mr Hamish Anderson Chief Ambulance Service Attending J Andrews Carlton ITV Westcountry Attending Ms Kate Baber Attending Mr Tim Bacon Sutton Harbour Attending Mr Richard Bara Plymouth City Council Attending Mr Paul Barnard Plymouth City Council Attending Mr Barry Barrett Chief Ambulance Service Attending Mr Jonathan Bell Plymouth City Council Attending Mr Simon Betty Gervas Property Attending L Blake Evening Herald Attending Counci Derick Bray Attending llor Ms Cathy Brodribb King Sturge Attending Mrs Georgina Browne Plymouth City Council Attending Mr Andrew Burns Countryside Agency Attending Mr Richard Burra Plymouth City Council Attending Counci llor Dennis Camp Attending Mr Malcolm Carmicheal Devon and Fire Rescue Service Attending Mr James Carter Plymouth & South West Co-operative Attending Society Captai Tim Charleswort Cattewater Harbour Commissioners Attending n h Mr Martin Clay North Prospect Partnership Attending Mr Will Collier Plymouth City Council Attending Ms Georgie Constable Plymouth Network Consortium Attending Mr Matt Coombe Plymouth City Council Attending Ms Christine Coonan Devon and Cornwall Housing Association Attending
Mr James Coulton Plymouth City Council Attending Mr Richard Crocker Stonehouse ACTION Attending Mr Duncan Currall Westcountry Publications Attending Mr Chris Davis English Nature Attending Ms Tara Dickenson Government Office South West Attending Mr Bruce Duncan BDA Consulting Attending Mr John Ellis English Cities Fund Attending Counci llor Tudor Evans Plymouth City Council Attending Mr David John Every Plymouth Community Network Attending Mr Robin Falle Stratton Creber Commercial Attending Mr Pete Ford Plymouth City Council Attending Counci Wendy Foster Attending llor Counci Ken Foster Attending llor Mr Bernie Foulkes Kings Wharf Attending Counci Garton West Devon Borough Council Attending llor Linda Gilroy House of Commons Attending Ms Emma Green Maze Consulting Attending Ms Kath Hadrell Government Office South West Attending Ms Eunice Halliday Plymouth Community Partnership Attending Mr Keith Halsey Plymouth Community Safety Partnership Attending Mr Mike Hardaway College of St Mark and St John Attending Mr Paul Harris Plymouth City Council Attending Mr Ian Harrison Devon County Council Attending Mr Peter Hayward Midas Construction Attending Mr Brian Hegarty Ashfords Attending Mr Darryl Hendley Fulfords Land and Planning Attending Ms Claire Hill Stonehouse ACTION Attending Mr Alan Hindley Fulfords Land and Planning Attending N Holman Vickery Holman Attending Mr Jason Hooper Fulfords Land and Planning Attending Ms Jac Houslander Plymouth City Council Attending
Mr John Howard Maritime Plymouth Attending Mr Charles Howeson Crownhill Estates Ltd Attending Mr Alex Huke Plymouth City Council Attending Mr Grant Jackson Plymouth City Council Attending Ms Ann James Primary Care Trust Attending D Jenner Plymouth Sound Attending Nova Johns Budshead Trust Attending Miss Marion Jones Plymouth City Council Attending Ms Irene Kearney Plymouth Community Partnership Attending Mr Charles Kislingbury King Strurge & Co Attending Mr Andrew Kitchener Fulfords Land and Planning Attending Mr Ray Knight P & O Properties Attending Counci Michael Leaves Attending llor Counci Levack Caradon District Council Attending llor Mr Stephen Lobb Chesterton Attending Mr Graham Lobb Form Design Group Architects Attending Counci Ernest Lock Attending llor Mr Shaik Madussar Plymouth City Council Attending Mr Alex Marsh Plymouth City Council Attending Mr Paul Martin Plymouth City Council Attending Mr Stephen Matcham Allsop Matcham Attending Ms Caroline Mather Guild of Voluntary Services Attending Mr Peter McNamara Devonport Regeneration Company Attending Ms Hannah Metson Plymouth City Council Attending Ms Sunita Mills Highways Agency, Network Strategy Team Attending
A Miranda Plymouth Civic Society Attending Mr Phil Mitchell East End Partnership Attending Mr Casey Mitchell Honicknowle Commnet Attending Mr Marc Nash The Architects Design Group Attending Counci llor Jean Nelder Attending Mr Chris Nelson Devon and Fire Rescue Service Attending Counci Patrick Nicholson Attending llor Miss Fiona Northcott Plymouth City Council Attending Dr Peter O'Neill Environment & Sustainability Partnership Attending Mr Richard Ormerod Government Office for the South West Attending D Orton Ortomatic Attending J Osborne Carlton ITV Westcountry Attending Mr Mike Palmer Plymouth City Council Attending Mr Steve Parissien University of Plymouth Attending Ms Liza Parker Plymouth Community Partnership Attending Ms Alison Hernandez Plymouth 2020 Partnership Attending Mr Chris Parsonage Attending Mr Julian Payne Environment Agency Attending Mr Mark Pearson CPR Regeneration Attending Mr Ian Penrose Ian Penrose Architects Attending Mr David Percival Plymouth College of Further Education Attending Mr Nigel Pitt Plymouth City Council Attending
Mr George Plenderleith PGVS Attending Robert Plumb Plymouth City Council Attending Miss Helen Plymsol Plymouth City Council Attending Mr Peter Prescott Devon and Cornwall Housing Association Attending
Counci llor Pauline Purnell Attending Mr Alan Qualtrough Evening Herald Attending Mr Martin Roberts Federation of Small Businesses Attending Mr Andy Roberts Plymouth City Council Attending Mr Roger Sands Foot Anstey Sargent Attending Mrs Eilis Scott Plymouth City Council Attending Mr Jonathan Selman Plymouth City Council Attending Mr Nalin Seneviratne Attending
Counci Graham Shears Attending llor J Slaven Plymouth City Council Attending Mr Phil Smith Plymouth Citybus Attending Mr Roger Smith Westbury Homes (Holdings) Ltd Attending Mr Peter Strawbridge Devon & Cornwall Police Attending
Mr Dave Taylor Plymouth City Council Attending Mr Charles Tharnthong Jubb Consulting Engineers Ltd Attending
Mr William Tuckett Cann Estate Attending Mr Jon Turner Sutton Harbour Attending Mr Nigel Twinn Plymouth City Council Attending Mr Derek Unitt Attending A Vallantyne Pirate FM Attending Mr Ali Wagstaff Plymouth City Council Attending Ms Joan Walsh Attending Mr Julian Warington- Rokeagle Attending Smyth Counci llor David Alan Weekes Attending Ms Tina West Enterprise Plymouth Ltd Attending Ms Jan West Tamar Development Trust Attending Miss Nicki Western Plymouth City Council Attending C Whipp Radio Devon Attending Counci Nicky Wildy Attending llor Counci Tom Wildy Attending llor R Wilkshire Ortomatic Attending Mrs Olivia Wilson Plymouth City Council Attending Mr Colin Woodman Cyclist Touring Club Attending Sir/Ma SUSTRANS Attending dam Counci Mary Aspinall Attending - llor poss? Counci Attending - llor Mark King poss? Counci Chris Mavin Attending - llor poss? Ms Catherine Jackson Lennon Planning Attending on bahalf of Urban Splash
Mr Mathew Arthur Imery's Minerals Ltd, Estates Mr Martin Berkein Mr Lee Bray South Hams District Council Mr Ian Brokenshire
Dr Sue Brownlow SW RDA Mr Chris Byers Ms Susie Byrne House Builders Federation Ms Rachel Crozier Plymouth Environment Forum Mr Cummins Land Securities Properties Ltd Mr Andy Dart Mr Chris Dunford West Devon Borough Council C Gates Mr Nigel Godefroy Sutton Harbour Company Mr Mike Green South West Water Miss Helen Guard Knight Frank Mr Nigel Halford Tamar Science Park Ms Lucy Hamilton Mr Martin Harradine AZ Urban Studio Mr Roger Harris Mr Paul Harvey Plymstock Forum Counci David James llor Ms Janet Johnson Mr Peter Jones Devonport Management Ltd Mr Neil Judge Rail Track Property Mr Ray Lacey Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust Counci Martin Leaves llor Mr David Mackay Mr Matthews Westcountry Tourist Board Ms Jo McAren Ms Hannah Metson Plymouth City Council Mr Adrian Mitchell Mr David Morgan English Heritage Mr Matthew Morris GVA Grimley Mr John Oakes South Hams District Council Mr Alan Partridge Housing Corporation Counci llor Vivien Pengelly Ms Linda Robinson Plymouth MIND Mr Geoff Roughton Caradon District Council Ms Rona Smith Plymouth Excellence Cluster Counci Bill Stevens llor Mr Roger Stevens Mr Geoffrey Sworder CPRE Devon Mr Gerald Taylor First Devon and Cornwall Mr Gerald Taylor Mr Jon Turner First Group G Walker Mr Maurice West Ms Ann Wilkinson Plymouth Racial Equality Council Counci Richard Yonge South Hams District Council llor Sir/Ma Alder King dam Sir/Ma BBC South West dam Sir/Ma Carlton dam Sir/Ma Crown Estate dam Sir/Ma Network Rail dam Sir/Ma Plymouth Architectural Trust dam Sir/Ma Vickery Holman dam Sir/Ma Viner Fulfords dam
PLYMOUTH DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
SEPTEMBER 2004
1 PLYMOUTH’S DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
THE PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT
This Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) sets out how the City Council intends to involve the community in the preparation of Plymouth’s new Local Development Framework (LDF). It also explains how individuals and communities can be involved in decisions on planning applications for major development.
The approach to community involvement being advocated by the Government is entirely consistent with the City Council’s own objectives for encouraging and equipping people and communities to participate in decisions that affect them, and the city as a whole.
To understand fully how you can be involved, this document needs to be read in conjunction with the Local Development Scheme (LDS), which sets out in detail what documents are going to be produced, when, and how they will define the city’s planning policies and proposals.
The SCI sets out the minimum standards of community involvement the City Council intends to meet, in relation to the preparation of the individual documents that will comprise the LDF, known as Local Development Documents (LDDs), and significant development control decisions1.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONSULTATION
The SCI is being published now, in order to provide opportunity for comment on the City Council’s proposals for community involvement.
Once the SCI has been adopted, the City Council will be required to ensure that all LDDs are produced, and consultation on all major planning applications is carried out, in accordance with the standards set out in the SCI.
1 Government guidance produced so far does not deal with the role of the SCI in involving the community in ‘significant development control decisions’. Separate guidance is to be published by ODPM, in due course.
2 PLYMOUTH DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
INTRODUCTION
The statutory Local Plan for Plymouth was adopted in 19962. The intended replacement plan (the FDLP3) was published in December 2001, and placed on deposit for consultation purposes, from 25 January to 15 March 2002. As a result, the City Council received over 3,500 representations.
In March 2003, in the light of the Government's proposed major reform of the development planning system, the City Council's Executive Committee resolved not to proceed to 'Revised Deposit' stage with the FDLP, but instead to move towards the production of a new LDF for Plymouth, at the earliest opportunity.
One of the requirements of the new system is for local planning authorities to produce an SCI. The main aims of the SCI are:
• to ensure that the LDF is developed through community and stakeholder involvement, that meets or exceeds certain minimum standards4
• to provide a clear approach to community involvement
The City Council aims to be a listening council. It wants its services and plans for the future to reflect the needs and aspirations of everyone who lives and works in the city. It is committed to getting and taking account of continuous feedback, both formal and informal, about how well it is meeting those needs, and what people would like to see done in the future.
Consultation processes to be used in the preparation of the LDF are intended to reflect the 'core values' set out in the City Council's Consultation & Participation Strategy 2004. These core values are:
• honesty • commitment to Plymouth • continuous improvement
Extensive community involvement has already taken place, both prior to, and during the production of the FDLP. The City Council intends to build on this, especially in relation to the more strategic development issues facing the city, e.g. where new homes should be built. Such issues have been fully debated
2 City of Plymouth Local Plan First Alteration: Adopted 1996 3 City of Plymouth Local Plan (1995-2011), First Deposit Version: December 2001 4 Minimum standards are set out in the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2004: ODPM, October 2003
3 during the preparation of Regional Planning Guidance5, the Devon Structure Plan6, the Cornwall Structure Plan7 and other sub-regional studies.
Rather than re-visit these issues, the Council therefore intends to engage in focused consultation throughout the preparation of individual LDDs, tailored to the particular documents being produced, and the needs, wishes, and expectations of the community, and other stakeholders.
PRINCIPLES FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT The City Council’s main principles for community involvement are intended to ensure that people have:
• access to information, to encourage the widest possible readership • opportunity to contribute ideas, confident that their ideas and concerns will be properly considered and responded to • opportunity to take an active part in developing proposals and options • opportunity to comment on formal proposals • opportunity to get feedback, and be informed about progress and outcomes
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
This document is being published for consultation purposes for a week period, so that everyone with an interest in doing so, can comment on the City Council's proposals for community involvement in the LDF process, and in relation to significant development control decisions.
ALL COMMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY XXXXFriday 1st April 2005, AND SHOULD BE SENT TO:
PLANNING POLICY MANAGER PLANNING AND REGENERATION SERVICE CIVIC CENTRE PLYMOUTH PL1 2EW
COMMENTS MAY ALSO BE SENT
BY FAX TO (01752) 304294
OR BY EMAIL to: [email protected]
THIS DOCUMENT CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST IN LARGER PRINT, BRAILLE, OR ON AUDIO-TAPE
5 Regional Planning Guidance for the South West (RPG10), produced by the Secretary of State, The Stationery Office, September 2001 6 Devon Structure Plan 2001-2016 7 Cornwall Structure Plan 2001-2016
4 INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION
Following the statutory 6-week consultation period, the SCI will be subject to independent examination by an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State, who will consider the 'soundness'8 of the document as a whole, and any representations made upon it.
Whilst those who have made representations seeking a change to the SCI have a right to attend and be heard at the examination, if they specifically request it, it will be for the Inspector to decide the procedures to be adopted at the examination. It is likely that most representations will be capable of being considered satisfactorily by means of written representations.
Following the examination, the Inspector will produce a report, which will be binding on the City Council. This means that the City Council must adopt the SCI, incorporating any changes made by the Inspector as a result of the examination. The report will contain reasons for the Inspector's decisions. However, these will relate to the 'soundness' of the SCI, and not to individual representations. The final ‘adopted’ SCI will be published, together with the Inspector’s Report, and included in the LDF.
If you would like more information about the Statement of Community Involvement or the Plymouth Development Framework please contact:
Mike Palmer Planning Policy Manager (01752) 304360 [email protected]
or one of the Strategy Co-ordinators
Graham Skedgell (01752) 304326 [email protected]
David Taylor (01752) 3044330 [email protected]
Andy Roberts (01752) 304361 [email protected]
8 The 'soundness' of the SCI will be tested by the Inspector in relation to criteria specified by the Government.
5 PROPOSED CONSULTATION STANDARDS AND METHODS
LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
Details of the various documents to be produced as part of the LDF, and the timescale for their publication, are set out in the Local Development Scheme (LDS). For ease of reference, a simplified diagram taken from the LDS is attached to this statement at Appendix 1.
One of the Government's main aims in reforming the development planning system is to achieve 'continuous community involvement'9 in the preparation of the LDF. This means that in addition to specific stages at which there is a statutory requirement for consultation, local planning authorities are expected to enter into, and facilitate dialogue with the local community, and with other stakeholders, throughout the whole of the process.
The City Council will therefore adopt the approach to community involvement set out in this document, in addition to involving the community in the four primary stages of LDF preparation10, i.e.
• pre-production • production • examination • adoption
The City Council is firmly committed to consultation, and has a well-developed and proven track record in community engagement. However, if you believe there is more the City Council should be doing to achieve the Government’s objective of 'continuous community involvement', the publication of this SCI provides you with an opportunity to express such views.
9 The Government's objective of achieving 'continuous community involvement' is a fundamental principle on which the new planning system is founded, and is set out in, for instance, "Local Development Frameworks: Guide to Procedures and Code of Practice", Consultation Draft, ODPM, October 2003 10 The four key stages in LDF preparation are set out in Draft PPS12: Local Development Frameworks, ODPM, October 2003, and in related guidance and the Code of Practice
6
WHO WILL BE INVOLVED?
In preparing the LDF the City Council will seek to involve the following:
• the general public • City Councillors, including the LDF Member Advisory Panel • Government departments (generally via GOSW) • Plymouth 2020 Partnership • neighbouring authorities (see Appendix 2) • other statutory bodies, (see Appendix 2) • businesses, and representative organisations, including Plymouth Chamber of Commerce & Industry • landowners, developers, and commercial agents • ‘hard-to-reach’ groups, including black and minority ethnic groups, faith communities, older people, people with physical and sensory disabilities, housing tenants and residents' associations, community associations and centres (see Appendix 3) • the press and other media
HOW WILL PEOPLE BE ABLE TO BE INVOLVED?
Whilst many people now have access to the internet, and other electronic means of communication, including via public libraries, many do not, and some who do, prefer to use more traditional methods for certain purposes. A wide range of different communication methods will therefore be used during the preparation of the LDF, to provide information to all those who wish to be involved. These will include:
• Plymouth City Council (PCC) website (see below) • interactive CD (see below) • press and other media • statutory notices • posters, leaflets and newsletters, as appropriate • public libraries • PCC housing offices • site notices, where appropriate (see below) • workshops, meetings etc. (see below)
A detailed table of the methods of communication proposed for each type of document being produced, and for each stage of the LDF process, is shown at Appendix 4.
7
CITY COUNCIL WEBSITE
The City Council's website will be one of the most important methods of providing information and updates throughout the process. It will also provide an email facility for asking questions, and/or making comments, about the LDF. The main advantage is that it allows information to be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is not limited to 'normal office hours'. Use of the website is also consistent with the Government's aim of ensuring that all government services are available electronically by 2005. The website can be accessed at www.plymouth.gov.uk
INTERACTIVE CD
In addition to making documents available in paper form, the City Council intends to produce an interactive CD, at key stages in the process. This will ensure that the information provided is much more accessible and flexible. The CD will provide easy access not only to the information being provided in the main documents, but also to many of the background documents that have informed their production. The draft LDF will therefore be available on CD, with a number of useful links provided to other relevant documents.
SITE NOTICES
Every development site included in the FDLP, was 'advertised' by means of one or more distinctive yellow site notices, placed adjacent to the site. This approach sought to ensure that all interested parties were made aware of proposals that might affect them, and given opportunity to comment on them. Although highly effective as a means of raising awareness, the large number of site notices involved, was inevitably costly. In any event, given such a high level of publicity, it is not considered necessary to repeat the exercise in full, but only to advertise sites that were not included in the FDLP.
WORKSHOPS, MEETINGS ETC.
The City Council will hold workshops, meetings etc. as appropriate. However, because of limited resources, it may not be possible for staff to attend meetings of individual groups or organisations. In circumstances where it is not possible, the City Council will endeavour to answer queries that arise, or engage in some other form of dialogue, that meet the needs of those concerned, within the limits of the staff resources available.
8 HARD-TO-REACH GROUPS
The City Council is fully aware that some people find it much harder than others to engage in consultation processes. However, this is very often due to the limitations of the methods employed to engage with them. For that reason, and where this is known to be the case, the City Council will take all reasonable steps to enable such people to be involved in the LDF process, to the extent they wish to be. Particular groups, such as the elderly, will therefore be targeted through representative bodies such as Plymouth Senior Citizens Forum. Subject to resource availability, visits will also be made to selected schools, building on the work previously undertaken in relation to the ward-based Community Planning Studies11. (see Appendix 3 for fuller details of ‘hard-to-reach’ groups the City Council will seek to involve).
FEEDBACK
The LDF process is necessarily lengthy, because of the number of statutory stages involved. One of the most important aspects of communication throughout the process, will therefore be to ensure that all participants are kept fully informed, at each stage of the process.
The City Council will therefore provide regular updates, either directly (by letters, phone calls, emails etc.) or in more general ways (via the City Council's website etc.), so that no-one is 'left in the dark', wondering what is happening. This will include feedback on changes made directly as a result of community involvement in the process.
REVIEW
This SCI has been produced in a way that clearly sets out the City Council's proposals for involving the community in the preparation of the LDF, and in decisions on planning applications for major development. However, it will be reviewed at least once every 3 years, in order to ensure that it conforms to best practice.
Should any changes be considered necessary following such review, these will be publicised, to give all those affected the opportunity to comment on the changes proposed.
11 As part of the process of reviewing the City's adopted Local Plan, a series of Community Planning Studies were undertaken for each of the 20 Electoral Wards. The studies were published in July 2000, and can be viewed via the City Council's website Hwww.plymouth.gov.ukH
9
PROPOSED CONSULTATION STANDARDS AND METHODS
DEVELOPMENT CONTROL DECISIONS
Development proposals can have a major impact on the environment and on people’s lives; it is therefore important that people can be involved effectively in the making of development control decisions. This section of the SCI sets out the standards for community consultation in the making of development control decisions.
PROPOSED APPROACH
In order to carry out effective community consultation, it is important that people are made aware of proposals and are given opportunities to influence decisions.
RAISING AWARENESS
The City Council has a statutory duty to publicise planning applications, inviting people to make comments that will be considered in the decision making process. The following methods of publicity will be used. (Please note that the choice of methods will depend on the size and nature of the application.)
• Advertisements in local press • Site notices • Letters of notification to individuals and organisations • Plymouth City Council website
Advertisements in local press
When an application is received, it will be advertised in the local press, giving the public 21 days from the date of the advert to submit a representation. The following types of applications will be advertised:
• ‘Major’ applications. • Applications for listed building consent. • Applications affecting a public right of way • Departures from the local plan • Applications affecting conservation areas • Other applications – if the City Council considers it necessary to supplement individual neighbour notification.
10 Site notices
Site notices will be displayed on or near the site in question. A period of 21 days, from the date when the notice is first displayed, will be allowed for any comments to be made. The following types of applications will require site notices: • Major applications • Departures from the local plan • Applications for listed building consent • Applications affecting a public right of way • Departures from the local plan • Applications affecting conservation areas • Other applications whereby the City Council considers it necessary to supplement individual notification with a site notice.
Letters of notification
Occupiers of adjoining properties will receive individual notification by letter, of proposals that may affect them. A period of 21 days, from the date of the letter, will be allowed for any comments to be made. If an occupier is unable to inspect the submitted plans at the City Council’s offices, as a result, for instance, of age or disability, the City Council can provide them with a free copy of the plans on request.
City Council website
All planning applications received will be advertised weekly on the City Council website (http://www.plymouth.gov.uk), together with the dates of Planning Committee meetings.
OPPORTUNITIES TO INFLUENCE DECISIONS
One of the purposes of publicising applications is to provide individuals and communities with the opportunity to comment on them in the form of written representations. The City Council treats a written representation as a ‘material consideration’ in determining an application, together with national and local planning policies. For some development proposals, decisions will be made by the City Council’s Planning Committee. Those who have made written comments may have the opportunity to speak at the Committee, if they wish.
WIDER COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Some development proposals will have a wider impact on the community, thus requiring further community involvement, particularly at pre-application stage.
The extent of involvement, however, will depend on the nature and size of the proposed development. Therefore, the following tiers have been developed to
11 show which types of development are suited to different approaches to community involvement.
Tier Level 1
These are significant applications where there are potential issues of scale and controversy, or are contrary to or out of line with Local Development Framework policy. These could include:
• Development Plan Departures – as defined in Circular 07/99, Town and Country Planning (Development Plans and Consultation) (Departures) Directions 1999 • Schedule 1 developments – as defined by the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (Town and Country Planning) (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999). These include schemes such as waste disposal facilities and aggregates extraction as well as industrial and other major developments • Development proposals subject to Town and Country Planning (Shopping Development) (England and Wales) Direction [as Annex D to Planning Policy Guidance note 6 Town Centres and Retail Development and substituted by Circular 15/93]
Tier Level 2
These are significant applications broadly in accordance with the Local Development Framework but raising controversial issue or detail. They consist of:
• Schedule 2 developments – as defined by the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations. • Development proposals which fall within the Town and Country Planning (Residential Development on Greenfield Land (England) Direction 2000. These include proposals for 150 or more homes, or residential sites over 5 hectares, on Greenfield land • Development proposed on playing fields as set out in the Town and Country Planning Playing Fields) (England) Direction 1998. The Direction applies to any proposal for development of any playing field owned by a local authority or used by an educational institution, as specified in the Direction.
For tier 2 proposals, wider community involvement may not be necessary if the City Council can justify why for a particular application it can be wavered.
The following table shows the approaches to community involvement for both tiers, which may or may not be exercised for a particular proposal.
Approach Tier 1 Tier 2 Public meetings Tick Public exhibition Tick Tick Surgeries Tick Tick
12 Development briefs Tick Workshops Tick Enquiry by Design Tick Tick and/or Planning for Real Citizen Panels Tick Tick Consultation Panel Tick Media Tick Website Tick Tick Local architectural or Tick Tick Design Panel
Consultation on proposals within tiers 1 and 2 will be expected to be carried out at pre-application stage. One of the main advantages of pre-application consultation is that issues can be considered at an early stage, when there is greater opportunity for influencing proposals as they are being formulated, rather than simply providing opportunity for comment at a later stage. It can also save time at application stage, thereby leading to quicker decision- making.
In the past, the City Council has responded to requests from the community to discuss significant proposals. However, the City Council intends to formalise the procedure, making it a pro-active requirement for all major developments.
Developers will therefore be expected to carry out effective pre-application consultation exercises suited to the particular tier within which the proposal falls, and to submit a report with the application, demonstrating how the community has been involved in shaping the proposals. It is so recommended that pre-application consultation is carried out in partnership with the City Council, and advertised on the City Council website.
FEEDBACK
Once a decision has been made by the City Council, those who have made written comments, will be notified in writing of the outcome.
PLANNING APPEALS
In cases where planning permission has been refused, and in certain other circumstances, the applicant has the right to appeal to the Secretary of State. Appeals are dealt with in various ways, including by written representations, hearings, or public inquiries. Major cases are normally dealt with by public inquiries. All relevant parties, including those who made representations on the planning application that gave rise to the appeal, are notified in writing of the date of the public inquiry, and given opportunity to make further written comment, or appear (or be represented) at the inquiry, if they wish.
SECRETARY OF STATE ‘CALL-IN’ DECISIONS
In some circumstances, the Secretary of State may decide to direct the City Council to refer an application to him for decision. A ‘call-in’ may happen
13 when, for example, a proposal is deemed to conflict with national planning policy, or to have significant effects beyond the immediate locality. Those with a likely interest in such proposals are notified in writing, and are advised how they can put forward their views. Applications that are called in, are advertised in the Evening Herald, and on the City Council website.
14
LDS DIAGRAM
15 APPENDIX 2
CONSULTATION BODIES
The City Council will seek to involve the following bodies in the LDF process, except where advised not to do so, in relation to the SCI12. Reference should also be made to Appendix 3, for information regarding 'hard-to-reach' groups.
NEIGHBOURING LOCAL AUTHORITIES Caradon District Council Dartmoor National Park Authority Devon County Council South Hams District Council Torbay Borough Council West Devon Borough Council
OTHER STATUTORY BODIES AND AGENCIES Countryside Agency ) English Nature ) Environment Agency ) Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England ) Ministry of Defence ) except in relation to the SCI South West Regional Development Agency ) South West Water ) Strategic Health Authority ) Strategic Rail Authority )
British Gas Civil Aviation Authority Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment Crown Estate Office English Partnerships Government Office for the South West Health and Safety Executive Highways Agency House Builders Federation National Playing Fields Association Network Rail South West Regional Assembly Sport England
12 The draft Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2004: ODPM, October 2003 state that certain 'specific consultation bodies' are not required to be consulted in relation to the SCI.
16 OTHER LOCAL BODIES AND ORGANISATIONS Associated British Ports City Centre Partnership Devonport Regeneration Company Devonport Urban Village East End Partnership Plymouth 2020 Partnership Plymouth Chamber of Commerce and Industry Plymouth Design Panel Plymouth Sub Regional Economic Partnership Sutton Harbour Company University Partnership
17 APPENDIX 3
HARD-TO-REACH GROUPS
The City Council will seek to involve the following groups, or their representative bodies, in the LDF process. In identifying these groups, the City Council has had regard to its own Best Practice Guide on consulting with people from 'hard-to-reach' groups 2002.
BLACK AND MINORITY ETHNIC GROUPS Plymouth & District Racial Equality Council Virginia House 40 Looe Street Bretonside PLYMOUTH PL4 0EB
Chinese Cultural Development Centre 6 Headland Park North Hill PLYMOUTH PL4 8HT
Devon & Cornwall Refugee Support Council 7 Whimple Street PLYMOUTH PL1 2DH
FAITH COMMUNITIES Plymouth Religious & Cultural Resource Centre 3a Watts Road St Judes PLYMOUTH PL4 8SE
OLDER PEOPLE Plymouth Senior Citizens Forum The Bungalow Lower Anderton Road Millbrook TORPOINT PL10 1DJ
18 PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES DIAC Ernest English House Buckwell Street PLYMOUTH PL1 2DA
Hearing & Sight Centre Pounds House 162, Outland Road Peverell PLYMOUTH PL2 3PX
Plymouth & West Devon Talking Newspapers 4 Abbey Place TAVISTOCK PL19 0AA
HOUSING TENANTS AND RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATIONS PETRA The Harwell Centre 28-42 Harwell Court Western Approach PLYMOUTH PL1 1PY
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS AND CENTRES Plymouth Community Network c/o Plymouth Community Partnership Old Treasury Building Catherine Street PLYMOUTH PL1 2AD
19 APPENDIX 4
COMMUNICATION METHODS - LDF
This Appendix sets out the methods of communication which the City Council proposes to use for each type of document being produced, and for each stage of the LDF process.
The reference numbers below are used in the tables that follow:
1 Engagement - the point at which people and organisations are made aware of the commencement of a specific stage of the process
2 Consultation - a stage in the process when people and organisations are asked for their views and comments
3 Consideration - a part of the process when views and comments received are actively considered, and taken into account
4 Examination - the stage in the process when a document is formally ‘examined’ by a Government Inspector. This may involve a formal inquiry, attended by those who have been invited, and/or have a statutory right to attend
5 Feedback - this stage will involve regular updates, and information about changes made directly as a result of community involvement in the process
Published Documents - including questionnaires and surveys, letters, advertisements giving information and inviting opinions, displays in libraries, and exhibitions.
Explanatory Documents - including leaflets, circulars and posters.
Meetings and Working Groups - including formal meetings, focus groups, examinations and round-tables.
Internet and Electronic Media – including websites and e-mail.
Press and Broadcast Media – including regional and local newspapers, television and radio.
Particular methods will be selected from these categories, for each stage of the process, as appropriate.
20
Communication Methods – Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)
Published Explanatory Meetings Internet and Press and Documents Documents and Electronic Broadcast Working Media Media Groups Stakeholders
Residents 1, 2, & 5 3 & 4 1, 2, & 5 1 & 2
Community 1, 2, & 5 3 & 4 1, 2, & 5 1 & 2 Groups Businesses 1, 2, & 5 3 & 4 1, 2, & 5 1 & 2
Major 1, 2, & 5 3 & 4 1, 2, & 5 1 & 2 Landowners Strategic 1, 2, & 5 3 & 4 1, 2, & 5 1 & 2 Partners Infrastructure 1, 2, & 5 3 & 4 1, 2, & 5 1 & 2 Providers Public 1, 2, & 5 3 & 4 1, 2, & 5 1 & 2 Organisations City 1, 2, & 5 3 & 4 1, 2, & 5 1 & 2 Councillors
City Council 1, 2, & 5 3 & 4 1, 2, & 5 1 & 2 Services
21
Communication Methods – LDF Issues and Preferred Options Report
Published Explanatory Meetings Internet and Press and Documents Documents and Electronic Broadcast Working Media Media Groups Stakeholders
Residents 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2
Community 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2 Groups Businesses 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2
Major 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2 Landowners Strategic 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2 Partners Infrastructure 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2 Providers Public 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2 Organisations City 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2 Councillors
City Council 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2 Services
22 Communication Methods – Development Plan Documents (DPDs)
Consultation Explanatory Meetings Internet and Press and Documents Documents and Electronic Broadcast Working Media Media Groups Stakeholders
Residents 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2
Community 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2 Groups Businesses 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2
Major 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2 Landowners Strategic 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2 Partners Infrastructure 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2 Providers Public 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2 Organisations City 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2 Councillors
City Council 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2 Services
Development Plan Documents are:
Core Development Strategy Development Proposals Criteria-based Policies Proposals Map
23 Communication Methods – Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs)
Consultation Explanatory Meetings Internet and Press and Documents Documents and Electronic Broadcast Working Media Media Groups Stakeholders
Residents 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2
Community 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2 Groups Businesses 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2
Major 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2 Landowners Strategic 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2 Partners Infrastructure 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2 Providers Public 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2 Organisations City 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2 Councillors
City Council 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2 Services
Supplementary Planning Documents are:
City Centre Urban Design Framework Plymstock Quarry East End Renewal/Eastern Gateway Northern Plymouth Framework Millbay/Stonehouse Framework Devonport Framework Sutton Harbour/Hoe Framework Barne Barton Framework Plymouth’s Design Strategy Affordable Housing Education Contributions Employment Land Contributions Retail Development Strategy
24 Communication Methods – Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
Consultation Explanatory Meetings Internet and Press and Documents Documents and Electronic Broadcast Working Media Media Groups Stakeholders
Residents 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2
Community 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2 Groups Businesses 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2
Major 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2 Landowners Strategic 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2 Partners Infrastructure 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2 Providers Public 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2 Organisations City 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2 Councillors
City Council 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 1 , 2 & 3 1 & 2 Services
25 APPENDIX 5
COMMUNICATION METHODS – DEVELOPMENT CONTROL
This Appendix sets out the methods of communication which the City Council proposes to use, in relation to development control matters.
The reference numbers below are used in the table that follows:
1 Engagement – the point at which people and organisations are made aware of a proposal
2 Consultation – when people and organisations are asked for their views and comments
3 Consideration – the stage in the process when views and comments received are actively considered, and taken into account
4 Determination – the stage in the process when the proposal is formally determined by the City Council at committee
Consultation Documents – including questionnaires and surveys, letters, advertisements giving information and inviting views, displays in libraries, and exhibitions
Explanatory Documents – including leaflets, circulars and posters
Meetings and Workshops – including ‘open days’ and Enquiry by Design
Internet and electronic media – including websites and e-mail
Press and Broadcast Media - including regional and local newspapers, television and radio
Particular methods will be selected from these categories, for each stage of the process.
26
Communication Methods – Significant Development Control Decisions
Consultation Meetings, Internet and Press and Statutory Committee documents workshops, Electronic Broadcast consultation meetings ‘Enquiry by Media Media documents Design’ etc Stakeholders
Adjoining neighbours 1 & 2 3 1 & 2 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 (including businesses)
Wider community 1 & 2 3 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 (occupiers of properties that do not adjoin site)
Owner of site (if not 1 & 2 3 1 & 2 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4 owned by developer)
Statutory consultees 1 & 2 3 1 & 2 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4
Councillors 1 & 2 3 1 & 2 1 & 2 3 & 4
27 Page 123 Agenda Item 12
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
Portfolio and Cabinet Member: Planning Policy & Regeneration Councillor Mrs Nelder CMT Member: Director of Development Subject: Plymouth Local Development Framework (Local Development Scheme and Statement of Community Involvement) Committee: Cabinet Date: 13 July 2004 Author: Jonathan Bell, Strategy Manager Contact: Tel: 01752 894196 email: [email protected] Ref: JAB/SU
Part: I
Executive Summary:
This report seeks authority to formally “submit” and consult upon two key documents to launch the City’s Local Development Framework (LDF) programme, namely:
• The Local Development Scheme (LDS) – a three year project plan setting out the planning documents that the City Council will prepare as part of the LDF; • The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) – setting out policies for community involvement in the LDF and in significant development control decisions;
The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act finally received Royal Assent on 13 May 2004 and is expected to fully ‘commence’ in September 2004. This is the earliest possible date that these documents can be submitted and published as part of the LDF process, ensuring that the City Council is leading the way nationally in moving towards the new LDF.
Corporate Plan 2004-2007:
The Corporate Plan identifies publication of the LDF as a key element of delivering the objective of providing “a strong strategic framework to promote investment, guide development and safeguard our built and natural environment”. It includes a target of publishing a deposit version of the LDF by November 2004.
The LDS and the SCI are important elements of the LDF, and if agreed by Cabinet, will be “submitted” (the term used in the new legislation instead of “placed on deposit”) in September 2004. The development planning documents will be submitted in April 2005, to synchronise with the LDF programme of South Hams District Council. Given the slippage in the national legislation, this is now the earliest date by which these documents can realistically be “submitted”.
The LDF will contribute directly to other objectives and targets of the Corporate Strategy, most notably: • Delivering the Mackay Vision and improving the quality of design across the city, Page 124
through appropriate spatial planning and design policy frameworks. • Improving development control performance, through providing an up to date and robust policy framework. • Working with developers to bring forward developments at key City Centre sites and Strategic Opportunity Areas and Sites, through provision of supportive general and site-specific policy frameworks and enabling powers such as CPO to be used effectively. • Providing clear plans for future investment that helps secure Government and other funds for transport priorities, through identifying strategic infrastructure needs in association with the spatial planning strategy. • Ensuring an adequate level and choice of employment land and premises, through land use allocations. • Implementing a £38m PFI for schools, through appropriate land use allocations. • Ensuring an adequate supply of affordable housing to meet Plymouth’s housing needs, through land use allocations and policies.
Implications for Medium Term Financial Plan and Resource Implications: Including finance, human, IT and land:
The direct costs associated with the LDS and SCI are primarily printing and community consultation costs that can be met from the existing Planning Policy budget.
The LDS does however sets out a three year programme of work which will have medium term financial planning and resource implications. These costs will relate to the preparation (including consultant input in specialist areas such as carrying out a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Plan), printing, publication, community consultation costs, as well as the cost of holding an independent public inquiry into the statutory parts of the plan. The costs associated with this work that are programmed for this financial year can be met from the existing Planning Policy budget. The additional estimated costs associated with this work for the following two-year work programme are £750,000 for 2005/06 and £250,000 for 2006/07.
Other Implications: e.g. Section 17 Community Safety, Health and Safety etc:
The LDF will directly support the promotion of community safety through the provision of policies to influence the design and nature of physical development. In addition, the LDF will build on the work undertaken on the Community Planning Studies (produced in preparation for the First Deposit Local Plan), to assimilate the work of the LNAPs, and any other relevant area guidance, into a set of area-based SPDs. This will also embrace social inclusion matters.
Recommendations & Reason for recommended action:
It is recommended that the Cabinet:
1 Approve the contents of the attached document proofs of the Local Development Scheme and the Statement of Community Involvement.
2 Delegate authority to the Head of Planning and Regeneration to agree the final publication format of the LDS & SCI documents, subject to any significant changes to the content of these two documents being agreed with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning & Regeneration before their publication.
3 Delegate authority to the Head of Planning and Regeneration to make the LDS and SCI available to key stakeholders and the general public, (at the earliest practical opportunity), through such media as the City Council’s Web site, as a process of engagement before the official consultation period can commence in September Page 125
2004.
4 Delegate authority to the Head of Planning and Regeneration to formally ‘submit’ the LDS & SCI to the Secretary of State at the earliest opportunity that the legislation allows – expected to be September 2004.
Reason: To comply with the new planning legislation and enable the City Council to proceed towards a Local Development Framework at the earliest opportunity.
Alternative options considered and reasons for recommended action:
Given that the publication and submission of the documents is a statutory requirement under the provisions of the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, there is no option but to produce them. The only real options available to the City Council relate to the timing and content of the documents. It is considered advantageous to the delivery of its corporate priorities to publish these documents at the earliest practicable opportunity, and this could also assist the City Council in receiving a significant Planning Delivery Grant award in 2005/06. In relation to the content of the documents, should the Cabinet feel that changes are required, the option exists to defer publication until the changes are made.
Background papers:
Report of Director of Development and Transport & Planning Manager to Executive Committee, 18th March 2003: City of Plymouth Local Plan (1995 – 2011): Transition From Local Plan To Local Development Framework.
Report of Director of Development and Transport & Planning Manager to Executive Committee, 18th March 2003: Reform of the national planning system, and the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Bill. Page 126
1 BACKGROUND
1.1 At its meeting of 18th March 2003, the City Council’s Executive Committee resolved to make the transition from the City of Plymouth Local Plan First Deposit Version to a Plymouth Local Development Framework. The context for this decision was the reform of the national planning legislation, which was also reported for information to the same meeting of the Executive Committee.
1.2 After slippage in the progress of the Bill through Parliament, the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act finally received Royal Assent on 13th May 2004. It is understood that the Act is now expected to fully commence in September 2004.
1.3 The new system aims to promote greater integration between the various strategies produced by local authorities and other agencies and the land use planning system. This will be achieved through the production of spatial plans. The spatial approach towards planning goes beyond the grant or refusal of planning permission and will involve a wider range of policies than has normally been included in development plans. (In essence the plan will cover both the use of land as well as have implications for the activities that take place on it.) Under the reformed planning system the development plan is intended to reflect a wider, more inclusive approach to planning, in order to achieve the most sustainable use of land and to create areas which have a sense of identity.
1.4 This report seeks to place Plymouth in the forefront of progress nationally in relation to the preparation of Local Development Frameworks (LDFs). It seeks authority to publish and consult upon two key statutory elements of the LDF process – namely the Local Development Scheme and the Statement of Community Involvement. It also seeks to clarify the status of the First Deposit Local Plan (FDLP) and Interim Planning Statements pending the publication of the LDF.
2 KEY TERMINOLOGY
2.1 While all the LDF reports will be written on the basis of using ‘Plain English’, a complication is that different parts of the LDF will have different status in law. This means that they will be known by different names (and acronyms) for legal purposes, and therefore reference to the Government’s chosen terminology is unavoidable. Key terms are as follows:-
2.2 Local Development Framework This is a generic term used in Government guidance but not in the Act itself. The LDF is effectively a portfolio of Local Development Documents (LDDs). It is these that are referred to in the Act. The LDF is more than a traditional development plan. It has a remit to consider the spatial dimensions and implications of the whole spectrum of social, economic, environmental and resource conservation issues. As such it is potentially a far more powerful tool for regeneration than the previous system of Local and Structure Plans.
2.3 Local Development Documents These are the individual plans and strategies that together make up the LDF. Some of these LDDs will be Development Planning Documents (DPDs). Some will be Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs). In addition, the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) – see Section 4.0 below – is also an LDD.
2.4 Development Planning Documents DPDs are the statutory documents that will be subject to independent examination. Together with the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) they will constitute the statutory “development plan” which, under the previous system was made up of Local and Page 127
Structure Plans. At a local level they are likely to contain the following components: • A core strategy, which sets out the authority’s vision for the area, as well as the overall strategy and primary policies for achieving that vision. • Proposals for site allocations, by which individual sites are allocated for development so as to meet the vision and core strategy. • Criteria based policies for the control of development. • Proposals map, to illustrate the policies and proposals in the DPDs. • Area action plans1, which may be used as an option to provide a planning framework for specific areas of change or conservation. • Waste and minerals plans.
2.5 Supplementary Planning Documents SPDs are the equivalent of the non-statutory plans and policies that could be produced as Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) under the former planning system. These can include, for example, matters such as: • Detailed layout of uses in an area in amplification of broad proposals in the DPDs. • Detailed design guidance. • Delivery and implementation plans in relation to the LDF. Although SPDs must be subject to full public consultation, they will not be subject to independent examination as for DPDs.
3 LOCAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME
3.1 The Act requires all local planning authorities to submit a LDS to the Secretary of State within 6 months of commencement of the Act. The Government Office has advised that the timeliness of production and quality of content of the LDS is very likely to be a key factor in the award of the plan-making element of Planning Delivery Grant for 2005/06.
3.2 The LDS must set out: • the DPDs and SPDs that the planning authority is proposing to prepare over a three-year period, and the timetable for their preparation; • the policies which the authority wish to save from their existing local plan until these are superseded; • the timetable for the preparation of the Statement of Community Involvement.
3.3 The proposed LDS for Plymouth is reproduced in Appendix 1. Key stakeholders have been engaged during the preparation of the LDS in accordance with the principles of continuous community involvement.
3.4 It is proposed to publish and submit the following DPDs in April 2005, to synchronise with South Hams District Council’s timetable:
• Core Strategy • Site allocations • Criteria based policies • Proposals Map • Waste and minerals DPDs
1 Members should be aware that whilst preparation of AAPs is optional, GOSW have been pressing for the City Council to prepare AAPs for the key regeneration areas. There are questions as to whether AAPs, or the less formal SPDs, are the most appropriate tools in terms of speed of preparation and adoption, flexibility in terms of implementation, and the cost of production (including inquiry costs in particular). Officers currently consider that on balance, the SPD approach has advantages. However, GOSW would seem to prefer the AAP approach. This matter is still under discussion. Page 128
3.5 The programme for submission of SPDs (see Appendix 1) has been identified having regard to the following priorities: 1. Area based design and planning guidance for existing and proposed Strategic Opportunity Areas in support of the Mackay Vision and the City Council’s other corporate priority regeneration initiatives. 2. Neighbourhood Plans, and Design Briefs for strategic sites, in support of Mackay, the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy and regeneration priorities. 3. Topic based planning and regeneration policy guidance, to ensure the policy aspirations such as affordable housing and other planning benefits are delivered in reality. 4. Review of existing SPG, to ensure that it reflects the new spatial policies of the LDF.
3.6 ODPM’s PSA 6 sets a target for all local planning authorities to complete LDFs by the end of 2006/07 financial year. The timetable proposed within the LDS will enable the City Council to have achieved an Adopted LDF by 2006, thereby supporting the ODPM’s PSA target.
3.7 The LDS, if approved by Cabinet, must be formally “submitted” to the Secretary of State. He then has 4 weeks to consider it. Should no directions be made, then the LDS will formally “take effect”. At this point, the City Council must publicise its availability. Although these is no formal statutory consultation required on the LDS, local people and stakeholders will be afforded the opportunity to comment on the LDS during the “submission” stage, in accordance with the principles of continuous community involvement.
4 STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
4.1 The SCI is classified as a Local Development Document. It must set out how the authority intends to achieve continuous community involvement in the preparation of LDDs. It will be subject to independent examination as if it were a DPD. People who have an interest in the planning of the area will therefore be able to make representations on the SCI which will then be considered by a Government Inspector.
4.2 The proposed SCI for Plymouth is attached at Appendix 2. In accordance with Government advice, it sets out the methods proposed to enable people to contribute to the process of preparing LDDs. This includes a variety of methods in accordance with the City Council’s corporate strategy on consultation, including specific measures in relation to “hard to reach” groups. Key stakeholders have been engaged during the preparation of the SCI in accordance with the principles of continuous community involvement.
4.3 In addition to consultation on LDDs, the SCI must set out the City Council’s policy for enabling community involvement in significant development control decisions.
4.4 The SCI, if approved by the Cabinet, will be formally submitted to the Secretary of State and representations sought from the public over a 6 week period, in accordance with the requirements of the legislation.
4.5 It is anticipated at this stage that the independent examination of the SCI will take place at the earliest opportunity – at least by the Spring of 2005. The Inspector’s report will be binding, and the City Council must then adopt the SCI, as amended by the Inspector, unless the Secretary of State intervenes. Once adopted, the SCI will be included in the LDF. Any DPD which is in preparation before the SCI is adopted, does not need to comply with the SCI, but it must comply with minimum consultation requirements as set out in Regulations. Page 129
Table 1 – Summary of LDF Timetable LDF Document Publish Examine Adopt Scope & Timetable (LDS) Sept. 2004 --- Jan. 2005 Statement of Community Involvement Sept. 2004 March 2005 May 2005 Issues /Preferred Options consultation Oct. 2004 ------Sustainability Appraisal / Strategic Environmental Assessment Issues /Options stage Oct. 2004 ------LDF consultation stage Jan-June 2005 ------LDF Core Strategy Jan 2005 Aug /Sept 2005 April 2006 Proposals for sites Jan 2005 Aug /Sept 2005 April 2006 Criteria Based Policies Jan 2005 Aug /Sept 2005 April 2006 Proposals Map Jan 2005 Aug /Sept 2005 April 2006 Supplementary Planning Documents Background Reports By Dec. 2004 ------/Area Framework Studies Convert background reports into SPD By Dec 2005 --- Summer 2006 Monitoring Report Dec. annually ------
5 STATUS OF THE ADOPTED LOCAL PLAN AND FIRST DEPOSIT LOCAL PLAN
5.1 Although the City Council is in a transitional stage between the First Deposit Local Plan and the LDF, the FDLP has not been abandoned and will (until the LDF is published) remain a material planning consideration for the determination of planning applications.
5.2 Furthermore, the Adopted (1996) Local Plan will be ‘saved’ for 3 years, and will comprise the statutory development plan, together with the Devon Structure Plan, until the new LDF is adopted
6 STATUS OF THE ADOPTED DEVON STRUCTURE PLAN
6.1 The soon to be Adopted Devon Structure Plan will also be ‘saved’ for 3 years from the date of adoption, or until the Regional Spatial Strategy is adopted, whichever is the earliest.
7 MEMBER INVOLVEMENT IN THE PROCESS TO DATE
7.1 The cross party LDF Member Advisory Panel, which has proved immensely valuable in enabling discussion of many important issues, has met on three occasions to date. The LDS and SCI have been refined and revised as a result of these discussions.
Sign off: Fin DF450018 Leg HR L.P. IT Originating CMF Member
Organisations Consulted under Regulation 25
Company 3G Antony Parish Council Bickleigh Parish Council British Telecom Brixton Parish Council Callington Town Council Calstock Parish Council Caradon District Council Caradon District Council Caradon District Council Caradon District Council Caradon District Council Caradon District Council Cornwall County Council Countryside Agency Dartmoor National Park Department for Constitutional Affairs Department for Culture Media and Sport Department for Education and Skills Department for Transport Department of Trade and Industry Department of Work and Pensions Devon County Council English Heritage South West Region English Nature Environment Agency Government Office for the South West Highways Agency Home Office Home Office Landulph Parish Council Lanteglos Parish Council Linkinhorne Parish Council Maker with Rame Parish Council Millbrook Parish Council MoD Defence Estate Organisation MoD Defence Estate Organisation National Grid Transco Network Rail O2 Office of Government Commerce Orange Pillaton Parish Council Plymouth 2020 Partnership Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust Plymouth Primary Care Trust Powergen Saltash Town Council Secretary of State for Health Shaugh Prior Parish Council South Hams District Council South Hill Parish Council South West Peninsula Strategic Health Authority South West Public Health Group South West Regional Assembly South West Water Sparkwell Parish Council St Cleer Parish Council St Dominic Parish Council St Neot Parish Council St Veep Parish Council St Winnow Parish Council Strategic Rail Authority SW RDA SWEB Energy T Mobile Telewest coms Torbay Borough Council Torpoint Town Council Virgin Mobile Vodafone Warleggan Parish Meeting Wembury Parish Council West Devon Borough Council Western Power Distribution
local development framework
Draft Statement of Community Involvement Plymouth City Council Local Development Framework Statement of Community Involvement Preferred Options - July 2005 Statement of Community Involvement - Preferred Options
1. Why produce a Statement of Community Involvement.
1.1. Local authorities are required to produce Statements of Community Involvement to identify their standards and policies for consulting on planning policy (in particular, the Local Development Framework) and planning applications. 1.2. The City Council recognises that it needs to involve local people, community organisations, businesses and groups, government agencies and service providers in the planning of the City if it is to achieve it’s aim of making Plymouth ‘One of Europe’s finest cities, where an outstanding quality of life is enjoyed by everyone’. 1.3. This draft Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) identifies a framework for achieving continuous community engagement in the planning process. In particular it identifies proposals for: 1. A framework for community involvement in preparing all the documents that comprise the Local Development Framework (LDF). 2. Standards for community engagement in all documents that comprise the LDF and in Significant Development Control Decisions. 3. Delivery mechanism for ensuring effective community engagement takes place. 4. Targets and indicators to measure effectiveness and success. 1.4. A Task Group of volunteers from the community and voluntary sector has advised the City Council during the preparation of the SCI. The Council is extremely grateful for the assistance given by the members of this group. 1.5. The document is produced for consultation purposes and will be available for comment from all interested parties. If you would like to view or comment on this document, receive it in another language or like to be more involved in the process of creating the plans for Plymouth’s future: 1. Look on the Plymouth City Council Website http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/homepage/yourcouncil/environment/ planning/ldf.htm?referer=planning 2. Contact the Planning Strategy Team, Plymouth City Council, Floor 8, Civic Centre, Armada Way, Plymouth, PL1 2EW, Tel 01752 307845 or 304818. 3. Look at the documents that are available in libraries and Council offices. 4. And remember that comment forms are available from all these places as well and we welcome your views on this and all documents we produce.
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2. SCI Objectives and Principles.
2.1. The City Council proposes the following Objectives and Principles, which set the framework for the consultation standards and policies that follow.
Objectives. 1. To increase awareness and understanding of the Local Development Framework and significant planning proposals in Plymouth’s communities. 2. To tap into the vast amount of knowledge that local people, groups and organisations (referred to as stakeholders) have about the city, to ensure that the planning decisions are based on sound information and evidence. 3. To seek wide involvement from all sectors of the community and stakeholders in the identification of key issues and options for the future development of the City. 4. To provide opportunity for all citizens and other stakeholders to put forward their views on planning matters.
Principles. Principle 1. Prioritisation of “front loading” and early engagement of the community in the planning process. 2.2. The City Council believes that effective community engagement in the planning system is only really achievable if engagement is achieved at the earliest stage possible – and ideally before documents are produced. 2.3. Effective community engagement at this stage will help to ensure that plans and planning applications are properly informed by evidence from the community and other stakeholders, and that local issues and views are clearly understood. 2.4. The early engagement of the community in the planning process is central to the SCI. The City Council will seek to front load the consultation process in a number of ways, including where appropriate: 1. Reviewing and incorporating the wealth of information already produced by the City Council and its partner organisations. For example community planning studies, regeneration strategies, area based initiatives, and neighbourhood renewal studies which themselves are outputs of community engagement. 2. Commission and complete studies of areas to highlight community needs, aspirations, and opportunities through engagement with local communities, key stakeholders and service providers to ensure that communities’ views are heard and their needs addressed. 3. Undertake topic-based studies involving community participation to ensure the City Council has an up-to-date information base upon which to build primary research and document production.
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2.5. Front loading of community engagement is equally relevant in the planning application process, in particular with regard to large or controversial applications Principle 2. Joining up of consultation with other strategic initiatives. 2.6. The SCI will be part of a wider framework of consultation undertaken by the City Council. 2.7. The purpose of the LDF is to deliver the spatial aspects of Plymouth’s community strategy, called the “City Strategy”. Community engagement in the LDF thus helps to inform future reviews of the City Strategy, and vice versa. 2.8. Community engagement in the LDF will also be used to inform other strategy development work, and vice versa. Examples include: 1. Local Transport Plan. 2. City Growth Strategy. 3. Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy. 4. Area based regeneration strategies. 5. Housing Strategy. 6. Community Cohesion. 7. Social Inclusion. 8. Urban Pioneers. 9. Safer Communities. 10. Ideas for Change (schools reorganisation) Principle 3. A targeted approach to community engagement, to ensure efficient and effective use of available resources. 2.9. Community engagement activity will need to be designed with regard to the need for efficient and effective use of available resources. There are several aspects of this: 1. Ensuring the LDF is informed by other consultation initiatives that have been undertaken or are planned. This relates to Principle 2. 2. The need to target resources at those groups least able to engage with the planning process (so-called “hard-to-reach” groups). 3. The need to raise awareness and build capacity of other groups to engage effectively in the planning process. 4. The importance of effective communication and processes that enable people to make their views known. 5. To make effective use of information technology. 6. The need for the Council to be proactive in seeking external resources and support for community engagement – e.g. as part of the neighbourhood renewal process, or through negotiation with developers. Principle 4. Values of Community Involvement. 2.10. The community engagement policies of the SCI will be consistent with the ‘core values’ set out in the City Council’s Consultation & Participation Strategy 2004.
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2.11. It will also comply with the shared principles laid out in the Plymouth Compact: i) Access and Equity (A voice for all) 2.12. Providing fair and equal access to good quality services, economic resources and decision-making and equality of opportunity for all people, regardless of, for example, ethnicity, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation or faith. ii) Independence (Enabling community) 2.13. Independent and diverse Community and Voluntary Sectors, democratically elected governments and effective Public Sector organisations are fundamental to the well being of Plymouth and a democratic and a socially inclusive society. iii) Integrity (Striving for the best) 2.14. Although the Public and the Community and Voluntary Sectors have differing forms of accountability and are answerable to a different range of stakeholders they share in common the need for integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, leadership and quality in all their undertakings. iv) Partnership (Adding value) 2.15. Meaningful consultation and participation builds relationships, improves policy development and enhances the design and delivery of services and programmes. Partnership results in increased efficiency and more effective outcomes for the community. Inherent in partnership is the participation of user groups. v) Sustainability (Protecting the future) 2.16. Sustainable development meets the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. It requires the responsible use of natural resources, protection of the environment, social progress and economic growth within sustainability principles. vi) Participation (Inclusiveness) 2.17. Providing genuine opportunities for informed community engagement in decision- making processes. 2.18. Developers will be strongly encouraged to adopt these values in their own consultation on development proposals.
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3. The wider context of the SCI.
The Local Development Framework explained. 3.1. The SCI is one of a range of documents that comprise the LDF. More information on the LDF is provided in Appendix 1 and the Local Development Scheme. 3.2. All of LDF documents (known as Local Development Documents) need to be subject to community consultation, although the nature of consultation will vary depending on the type of document being consulted upon. The Local Development Documents (LDDs) are split into different document types: 1. Development Plan Documents (DPDs) – which form part of the statutory development plan. 2. Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) – which will amplify policies of the statutory development plan. 3. Other Development Plan Documents (ODPDs) – which will relate to the process of LDD preparation. 3.3. The diagram below shows the different types of LDD which form the LDF. A description of the documents is available in a project plan for the LDF, called the Local Development Scheme.
Local Development Framework
Proposals Map Planning Local Minerals Supplementary Obligations/ LDD Development Planning Affordable Housing Documents Documents (LDDs) (SPDs)
Waste LDD Development Design Plan Strategies Documents (DPDs)
Core Strategy Statement of Criteria Other Community Based Development Involvement Area Policies Action Plan (SCI) Documents
Proposals for Sites Sustainability Strategic Appraisal Environmental Assessment
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Status of existing planning documents. 3.4. The new LDF, once adopted, will become the statutory development plan for the area. Until it is formally adopted, the current Adopted Local Plan (1996) will carry some weight in planning decisions. The weight attached to each LDF document will increase as it goes through each statutory stage. 3.5. The First Deposit Local Plan (Dec 2001) will carry some weight in planning decisions until relevant sections of it are replaced by the emerging LDF documents.
Statutory minimum consultation requirements. 3.6. The legal requirements for consultation and public participation on the LDF are set out in the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2004. The City Council is required to consult all of the groups listed in Appendix 2 List A, as well as those on lists B and C who are affected directly by the document. 3.7. It is however the City Council’s aim that there should be genuine community engagement from all parts of the community including those groups that are usually defined as ‘Hard to Reach’. The City Council therefore intends to go beyond the minimum requirement and engage the community in a variety of ways using different types of media and engagement techniques.
Resources. 3.8. The level of resources available will influence the precise design of consultation for individual LDDs. Principle 3 above sets out some of the aspects of resource management that the City Council will undertake in the delivery of its consultation processes.
Resource allocation 3.9. The City Council’s Planning & Regeneration Service Strategy Unit is responsible for the production of the LDF and will be providing the majority of the resources involved in undertaking the community involvement. The Unit’s budget, which is set annually but within the context of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan, will be managed such that a variety of demands for expenditure can be met. These include document publication, advertising and publicity, consultation and research, and the costs of Independent Examinations into the LDDs. In addition, the Unit’s staff will be used flexibly to deliver effective community involvement. Where possible, this will be done in a coordinated way with other Services to deliver more effective and efficient programmes of consultation which meet multiple objectives. 3.10. With regard to development consents consultation arrangements, those which are carried out post application submission largely represent a formalisation of existing practice. They will continue to be resourced by the Council’s Development Consents team.
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3.11. Pre-application consultation as outlined in Section 6 will predominantly be resourced and funded by the applicant, with the assistance of the Development Consents team supported where necessary by other sections of the Council.
Timetables. 3.12. Once formal LDF documents are published, or planning applications submitted, the planning process becomes locked into timetables against which the Council is expected to perform (and indeed, may be penalised financially if it does not perform). This re-emphasises the importance of the “front loading” principle, whereby early engagement in the planning process is essential.
Independent help with Planning Matters 3.13. Planning Aid is a voluntary service run predominantly by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), registered charity no. 262865. It provides free, independent and professional planning advice and support to communities and individuals in need of support. The main aims of Planning Aid are to target “hard to reach” groups and to assist people and local communities in developing their own strategies for influencing development in their areas. It offers free and independent advice from a qualified planner. Planning Aid can also help people to: 1. Understand and use the planning system. 2. Participate in preparing plans. 3. Prepare their own plans for the future of their community. 4. Comment on planning applications. 5. Apply for planning permission or appeal against refusal of permission. 6. Represent themselves at public inquiries. 3.14. The City Council are fully supportive of Planning Aid and will actively help any one seeking their help in planning matters. Further information is available from the City Council’s Planning and Regeneration Service or from: 1. South West Planning Aid 2. Planning Advice Help line: 0870 850 9807 3. [email protected]
Reporting Back and Feedback 3.15. The Council recognises that it is important to provide feedback on the results of consultation stages. The Council will publish a summary of representations and comments made after each LDD consultation stage. It will make these available on its website and as a document format. 3.16. The Council will also keep an up to date record on its website of LDF Progress, forthcoming consultations and LDD stages. This will enable local communities and stakeholder to be informed and build an interest in planning issues to be able to engage and influence the LDF process.
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4. How and when involvement and engagement will take place-
Proposals of relevance to all stages of the LDF process. 4.1. Specific proposals for each stage of the planning process need to be underpinned by proposals for: 1. Effective communication – so that there is maximum awareness of the planning process. 2. Efficient systems – so that people can easily make their views known. 3. Capacity building – to help groups engage with the planning system. Effective communication. 4.2. Ensuring that the City Council produces the LDF in an open and transparent way is only possible through communicating appropriately with the wider community, stakeholders and organisations involved. To ensure this takes place the Council will: 1. Publish all of its consultation documents and provide feedback on consultation events and representations made, on its website. 2. Share information about the planning system, through Area Committees and established networks (e.g. Plymouth Community Partnership, Plymouth Environmental forum). 3. Communicateon planning issues with the development industry through regular meetings of the Plymouth Regeneration Forum. 4. Hold briefings with Ward Councillors regarding LDF matters relating to their areas. 4.3. The Council will proactively seek to work with the media (TV, radio and newspapers) to raise awareness about planning issues and encourage engagement in the planning process by: 1. Producing press releases at key stages. 2. Occasionally producing DVDs to enable the public to access information about the planning system. 3. Through established contacts with the media. 4. Placing advertisements in the press at key stages of the LDF process. Efficient systems. 4.4. The efficient running of systems that the City Council use to relay information on the LDF and planning matters is vital to the whole process and as such the Council will: 1. Advertise in advance through a variety of media the key events and document releases, to increase local people’s knowledge and ability to engage.
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2. Ensure easy access to information throughout the process by making all LDDs available at local libraries, council offices, housing offices, community centres and on the Internet 3. Ensure the planning pages of the Council’s website are easy to navigate, and include contact details and details on forthcoming events and publications. 4. Provide a variety of means for people to provide comments and by making response forms available at all consultation events and at all locations where LDDs can be read. 5. Provide an easy-to-use electronic response form on the Council’s website. 6. Offer people the ability to sign up for information to be sent directly to them on areas that are of interest. Capacity Building. 4.5. The Council recognises that in order to engage effectively with the planning process, groups, communities and individuals need to extend their knowledge, skills and understanding of the system. The Council will help build this capacity in the community through: 1. Adopting the Planning Aid Protocol by which it will promote the Planning Aid service for those needing help to engage in the planning process (See Appendix 3 for details of Planning Aid). 2. Seeking to equip umbrella organisations such as Plymouth Community Partnership (PCP), the Plymouth Guild of Voluntary Service (PGVS), and Maritime Plymouth etc to inform, engage and consult with members about planning issues that affect them. Support will take the form of advice, training, and where appropriate the commissioning of services. 3. Providing training to Ward Councillors on the new planning system to enable them to effectively represent their wards on planning matters. 4. Work with community development organisations that support communities and individuals, e.g. North Prospect Partnership, Groundwork Trust, Devonport Regeneration Company, Efford Building Communities, East End Partnership. 5. Running a series of “breakfast meetings” to raise their awareness of the planning process.
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5. How and when involvement & engagement will take place- LDF.
The Preparation stage – 5.1. The preparation stage is the stage after a need for a LDD is identified but before the first formal LDD “preferred options” report or draft plan is produced. The preparation stage will be the most intensive stage of community involvement in accordance with principle 1 on “front loading.” The Council proposes to use the following methods and information at preparation stage: Making best use of existing information and evidence. 5.2. There has been a vast amount of consultation on planning and regeneration issues in Plymouth over the last few years, some of which has led to the preparation of draft plans. It is vital that this information is not lost to the LDF process. Examples include: 1. Community Planning Studies for Plymouth and for each ward in Plymouth. Published in 2001, these award winning studies, were based upon extensive community engagement across the city and directly informed the preparation of the First Deposit Local Plan, Dec 2001. The Community Planning Studies also provided information to other services, and thus was a “joined up” consultation (see Principle 2 of the SCI). 2. Representations received on the First Deposit Local Plan. This was placed on deposit from January – March 2002. 3569 representations were received. These representations will assist the Council in putting together its policies and proposals for the LDF. 3. Regeneration strategies published for parts of the City. Regeneration and development strategies have been published for places such as Devonport, Millbay, Barne Barton and the East End following extensive community engagement. This information will be used to help frame the planning policy framework in the LDF for these areas. 4. Major landowner consultation. The Council used press advertisements in 1999 to invite landowners to put forward proposals for sites for consideration in the First Deposit Local Plan. A judgement was reached on their suitability for development through the First Deposit Local Plan. Many of these sites are still relevant for consideration in the LDF. Preparation of Area Studies. 5.3. Where existing evidence is not adequate, the Council will work with local communities to undertake Area Studies. These will identify key issues and opportunities, include assessments of the urban form and the extent to which the area provides a sustainable community. They will help communities to identify their own priorities. 5.4. The first Area Studies will be carried out for those neighbourhoods prioritised through the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy. These are some of the most deprived areas of Plymouth and action for their improvement is a priority.
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5.5. The output of these studies will have wider corporate relevance. Not only will they help the Council to determine whether an Area Action Plan or some other planning policy intervention is needed. They will also provide information to other Council services and other service providers in the City about the needs in these areas. 5.6. In this sense this work is important in relation to Principle 2 of the SCI regarding “joined-up consultation”. Sustainable Communities Assessments. 5.7. The Council has developed a methodology for assessing the extent to which areas of the City provide “sustainable communities”. These are places where: 1. There is a sufficient critical mass of population to sustain a range of neighbourhood facilities. 2. There is good access to employment, open spaces and other services 3. There is a balanced community with an integrated mix of decent homes of different types and tenures to support a range of household sizes, ages and incomes. 4. A well connected community where there is a clear and understandable pattern of streets and spaces providing an ease of movement between key destinations and services, adjacent areas and to the rest of the City. 5. There is an attractive and safe environment with safe places to live and work with good quality buildings and public spaces. 6. The local community respects and capitalises on its environment, using resources effectively. 5.8. The Council will use this assessment process in order to identify particular needs in communities. These will be undertaken initially for each area to be subject to an Area Action Plan or Area Study. The intention is to eventually use the assessment process across the entire City. Targeting “hard to reach groups”. 5.9. To ensure that the Council is as inclusive as possible when consulting with people from so called “hard to reach groups” the Council needs to make it as easy as possible for them to participate and use appropriate methods. The Council will facilitate this by: 1. Guaranteeing the whole process is made as easy as possible for people to take part 2. Evaluating consultation activities undertaken in order to form a greater understanding of the most appropriate type of engagement for future use. 3. Ensuring that representatives of ‘hard to reach’ groups are identified on the LDF consultation database. 4. Having targeted and tailor-made consultation process for specific groups (e.g. reaching young people through schools).
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5. Commissioning independent community consultation experts where resources permit and where this can achieve better access for hard to reach groups. 6. Having consultation activities around the clock to help people to engage in the process. 7. Locate consultation activities in places that are accessible by a variety of public and private transport means and are wheelchair and child friendly. 8. Making provision for childcare, where appropriate. 9. Where consultation is on an area specific document, ensuring that the venues for consultation are located where possible within the area. 10. Providing advanced publicity of community consultation events in the media. 11. Using plain language in its communications. 12. Offering a translation / transcription service for all of its consultation documents – to ensure that people who don’t have English as their first language or who are deaf or blind or partially sighted are not excluded.
The Production Process 5.10. Once the statutory documents are published the process becomes locked into a timetable, which makes it more difficult to maintain a high level of proactive community engagement. At this point, the emphasis of consultation shifts towards providing clear information and the opportunity for people to make their views known. 5.11. There is a fine balance between achieving effective community involvement in the planning process and ensuring that plans are produced and considered at sufficient speed to enable Plymouth’s vision and the LDS to be delivered. Proposals relating to the formal statutory stages of the planning process. 5.12. In relation to a DPD of the LDF the key formal stages are normally as follows: 1. Publication of an Issues & Options report and Sustainability Appraisal. 2. Publication of a Preferred Options report and Sustainability Appraisal. 3. Submission of the final Document and Sustainability Appraisal to the Government. 5.13. In relation to an SPD of the LDF, there will normally be: 1. Publication of draft SPD. 2. Adoption of SPD 5.14. It is intended that significant consultation with relevant groups and communities will have taken place before these stages are commenced. At these stages the Council will:
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1. Publish on its website a summary of issues identified during the issues and options consultation 2. Inform in writing all relevant consultees listed in Appendix 2. 3. Give presentations on the DPD or SPD at relevant Area Committees. 4. Attend a range of community meetings to explain and receive feedback on the DPD or SPD. 5. Enter all comments and statutory representations received on a database, provide written acknowledgement of receipt of all statutory representations (relates to DPDs only, at Preferred Options and Submission stage) and publish summaries of these on it’s website. 6. Seek to negotiate on representations received in relation to Preferred Options reports where there is a reasonable prospect of the objection being satisfactorily resolved before Submission stage.
Independent examination 5.15. Following the submission of a DPD to the Sectary of State an independent examination will be held by a planning inspector. The purpose of the examination is to determine whether the plan is sound. Any one who has raised an objection in the 6-week period after submission has the right to be heard at the examination. 5.16. The nature of the examination will depend in part on how those people wishing to express their views wish to do this. The Government expects the majority of representations will be through written representation. However the opportunity to make verbal representations to the inspector is available. Both means of giving representations carry equal weight in the examination process.
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6. Methods of Community Engagement
6.1. The Council will determine for each consultation exercise the most appropriate consultation methods. The following list shows a range of consultation actions and methods that may be used as part of a package for any particular consultation. It is not inclusive of all techniques 1. Document made available for inspection at Civic Centre and Local Libraries, housing offices and community centres during all consultation stages, with any additional information needed. 2. Letters to statutory bodies and formal written consultation (from lists A, B and C as required), including DPDs and response forms, to receive consultation responses from statutory bodies. 3. Internet, providing detailed information and feedback on the LDF and LDS, and making LDDs available for consultation with electronic responses forms all available from the City Council’s Web page. 4. Media (local press, T.V. and radio), advertisements, articles and press releases about forth-coming consultation events and publications will increase knowledge and the profile of the LDF. 5. Written representations, providing a formal way of responding to DPDs with people’s views, thoughts, comments or objections. 6. Public exhibitions and displays, including open days, displaying key information, issues and proposals for public viewing and consultation. 7. Meetings (including area committees, public meetings and breakfast meetings), providing information, discussion on key topics and information, increasing awareness and informing on the progress of the LDF and LDDs. 8. Community planning workshops and focus groups, particularly suitable for area-based policy development. 9. Attending existing panels, forums and groups, such as residents’ associations or community groups, to help increase awareness and disseminate information. 10. Support for ‘Planning Aid’, which assists people to engage with and influence the planning process. 11. DVDs, Leaflets and summary documents, providing information in an accessible and flexible way, which can be viewed at any time without the need to attend events. 12. Studies, background studies and assessments such as area based studies of community needs, community planning studies and sustainable communities assessments. These provide evidence to guide the development of the LDF 13. Independent examination, the final opportunity to engage in a DPD through written or verbal representation. 6.2. Summary tables of the types of consultation methods that may be used at different stages of the LDF process are shown below
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Development Plan Document Production and Consultation Table
Document Consultation Consultees Type of Potential Method of Stage Length Engagement Engagement Preparation up to Key Consult Public exhibitions & submission Stakeholders displays, Meetings, of Issues workshops /Focus All & Options groups, Existing panels, Document forums & groups, Planning Aid, Studies. Issue & See LDS All Inform Publication of DPD, Options available from PCC Publication Web Page, Local (+SA) Libraries & Council Offices Issue & 6 weeks All list A, Formally inform DPDs & letters to Options relevant & request statutory bodies Consultation organisations response & formal written on lists B & C consultation All Inform & Documents made Consult available for inspection, Internet, Media, Written comments, Public Exhibitions & Dispalys, Meetings, Existing
Continuous engagement throughout the process Panels, forums & groups, Planning Aid & Increased formality of documents and consultation Summary Documents Interim
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Document Consultation Consultees Type of Potential Method of Stage Length Engagement Engagement Preferred See LDS All Inform Publication of DPD, Options available from PCC Published Web Page, Local (+SA) Libraries & Council Offices Consultation 6 weeks All list A, Formally inform DPDs & letters to on Preferred relevant & request statutory bodies Options organisations response & formal written (+SA) on list B & C. consultation All Inform & Documents made Consult available for inspection, Internet, Media, Written comments, Public Exhibitions & Dispalys, Meetings, Existing Panels, forums & groups, Planning Aid & Summary Documents Interim Submission of See LDS All Inform Publication of DPD, DPD to Sec. available from PCC of State & Web Page, Local publication of Libraries & Council DPD with its Offices SA. Period to make 6 weeks All list A, Formally inform DPDs & letters to representations relevant & request statutory bodies Continuous engagement throughout the process on DPD & SA organisations response & formal written on list B & C. consultation Increased formality of documents and consultation All Make Formal Written representations representation Examination by Set by All who Public Enquiry Written & verbal SOS on DPD & inspector submitted representations its SA respnse forms on final DPD Adoption of Development Plan Document
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Supplementary Plan Document Production and Consultation Table
Document Consultation Consultees Type of Potential Method of Stage Length Engagement Engagement Preparation up to Key Consult Public exhibitions & submission of Stakeholders displays, Meetings draft SPD /Focus groups, Existing All panels, forums & groups, Planning Aid, Steering & Advisory groups, Studies. Publish draft See LDS All Inform Publication of SPD, SPD & its SA available from PCC Web Page, Local Libraries & Council Offices Consultation 4- 6 weeks All list A, Formally inform SPD & letters to on draft SPD relevant & request statutory bodies & its SA organisations response & formal written on lists B & C consultation All Consult Documents made available for inspection, Internet, Media, Written comments, Public Exhibitions & Dispalys, Meetings, Existing Panels, forums & groups, Planning Aid & Continuous engagement throughout the process Summary Documents Consider See LDS Those Consult Written or verbal Increased formality of documents and consultation representation who made communication & alteration representation of SPD where where necessary necessary Adoption of Document
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7. How and when involvement and engagement will take place- Development Control Process.
7.1. Community involvement in the consideration of Planning Applications is vital in ensuring that developments, where possible, take account of the community’s views. It has until now only been the statutory requirement of Local Planning Authorities to publicise (press advert and/or site notice and/or neighbour letter) all planning applications after they have been received, giving third parties a period of time in which to make comments before a formal decision is made. 7.2. Whilst these arrangements will remain, it is now the intention, via this Statement of Community Involvement, to seek to engage communities much earlier in the process on more significant applications. 7.3. The City Council has already introduced a pre-application process to enable applicants to run through their proposals with the planning office prior to submitting their formal application. In this way issues and information can be identified early to enable the applicant to submit a more comprehensive proposal that improves the formal decision making process. 7.4. By introducing an opportunity for the community to engage with the development process at the pre-application submission state, it is intended that comments made by the community can more easily be accommodated in the final submission made, so avoiding unnecessary disputes or delays. 7.5. Outlined below are the two distinct stages in which public consultation takes place at Pre-application submission and Post application submission and the methods of consultation used in each stage.
Pre- submission consultation Provisions relating to significant planning applications. 7.6. Wider community consultation, in addition to the minimum standards post-planning application submission, will be required for applications that might have a major effect on the local community. Such consultation will have to be carried out at the pre-application stage. 7.7. In order to define what constitutes a ‘significant application’, a development proposal will have to fall into one of the tiers of development, as shown below. A different approach to community consultation is recommended for each tier. Tier Level 1 7.8. These are significant applications where there are potential issues of scale and controversy, or are contrary to or out of line with Local Development Framework policy. These could include: 1. Development Plan Departures – as defined in Circular 07/99, Town and Country Planning (Development Plans and Consultation) (Departures) Directions 1999, i.e. proposals in conflict with the adopted Local Plan or emerging LDF, DPDs. 2. Schedule 1 developments – as defined by the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (Town and Country Planning) (Environmental
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Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999). These include schemes such as waste disposal facilities and aggregates extraction as well as industrial and other major developments. 3. Development proposals subject to Town and Country Planning (Shopping Development) (England and Wales) Direction [as Annex D to Planning Policy Guidance note 6 Town Centres and Retail Development and substituted by Circular 15/93]. Tier Level 2 7.9. These are significant applications broadly in accordance with the Local Development Framework but raising controversial issue or detail. They consist of: 1. Schedule 2 developments – as defined by the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations as major developments which are of more than local significance, developments which are proposed for particularly environmentally sensitive or vulnerable locations, and for developments with unusually complex and potentially hazardous environmental effects. 2. Development proposals which fall within the Town and Country Planning (Residential Development on Greenfield Land (England) Direction 2000. These include proposals for 150 or more homes, or residential sites over 5 hectares, on Greenfield land. 3. Development proposed on playing fields as set out in the Town and Country Planning Playing Fields (England) Direction 1998. The Direction applies to any proposal for development of any playing field owned by a local authority or used by an educational institution, as specified in the Direction. 7.10. For tier 2 proposals, wider community involvement may not be necessary if the City Council can justify why for a particular application it can be wavered. The following table shows the recommended methods of consultation for each tier (it is not necessary for each method to be used, just the most appropriate ones for the individual case): Approach Tier 1 Tier 2 Public meetings Public exhibition
Development briefs
Interactive workshops
Media Website Local architectural or Design Panel
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7.11. The specific design of the pre-application consultation should be discussed and agreed through pre-application discussions. It should be consistent with the principles and policy framework set out in the SCI. 7.12. The planning applicant will be responsible for carrying out this consultation, in liaison with the Council. 7.13. Applicants are strongly encouraged to use an independent facilitator to design and implement their consultation programme. The Council will set up a database of facilitators which it accredits as having a sound understanding of the planning process. 7.14. Applicants are strongly encouraged to present a report of their consultation process, including information on how it has influenced the application, when the application is submitted. 7.15. The Council emphasises that failure to carry out effective consultation at pre- application stage could lead to objections being made which could be material to the determination of the application.
Post submission consultation 7.16. Post-application consultation will be usually be limited to the general publicity provisions identified below. It will be the exception that those types of application listed above will be subject to the wider forms of community engagement as stated above once the application has been received. It will normally be the case that applications will be determined as submitted and that where significant amendments are required that would justify a further community consultation, a new application will be sought. . Publicity 7.17. Applications will be publicised using the following methods, depending on the type of application. 1. Advertisements in the local press 2. Site notices 3. Letters of notification to individuals and organisations 4. Plymouth City Council website. 7.18. The following types of applications will be subject to both advertisements in the local press and site notices: 1. ‘Major’ applications. 2. Applications for listed building consent. 3. Applications affecting a public right of way 4. Departures from the local plan
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5. Applications affecting conservation areas 6. Other applications – if the City Council considers it necessary to supplement individual neighbour notification. 7.19. The public will be given 21 days from the date of the advertisement or site notice to submit comments to the City Council. Such comments will then be treated as a ‘material consideration’ in the making of planning decisions. Letters of notification. 7.20. Occupiers of adjoining properties will receive individual notification by letter of proposals that may affect them. Like site notices and press advertisements, 21 days from the date of the letter will be allowed for any comments to be made. If an occupier is unable to inspect the submitted plans at the City Council’s offices, as a result, for instance, of age or disability, the City Council can provide them with a free copy of the plans on request. Commenting on planning applications. 7.21. The City Council treats a written representation as a ‘material consideration’ in determining an application, together with national and local planning policies. For some development proposals, decisions will be made by the City Council’s Planning Committee. Those who have made written comments may have the opportunity to speak at the Committee, if they wish. The dates of committee meetings will be advertised on the City Council’s website. Feedback 7.22. Once a decision has been made by the City Council, those who have made written comments will be notified in writing of the outcome. Secretary of State “call-in” decisions. 7.23. In some circumstances, the Secretary of State may decide to direct the City Council to refer an application to him for decision. A ‘call-in’ may happen when, for example, a proposal is deemed to conflict with national planning policy, or to have significant effects beyond the immediate locality. Those with a likely interest in such proposals are notified in writing, and are advised how they can put forward their views. Applications that are called in, are advertised in the Evening Herald, and on the City Council website. Community involvement in Independent Examination and Development Control appeals. 7.24. In respect of appeals against refusal of planning permission, and in certain other circumstances, the applicant has the right to appeal to the Secretary of State. Appeals are dealt with in various ways, including by written representations, hearings, or public inquiries. Major cases are normally dealt with by public inquiries. All relevant parties, including those who made representations on the planning application that gave rise to the appeal, are notified in writing of the date of the public inquiry, and given an opportunity to make further written comment, or appear (or be represented) at the inquiry, if they wish.
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8. Project management, monitoring and review.
Project management. 8.1. The Council will apply project management principles to the implementation of its consultation on the different LDDs. It will produce a Project Plan which: 1. Identifies its specific consultation proposals and programme. 2. Sets out clearly how this programme is consistent with the principles and policy framework set out in the SCI. 3. Agrees this Project Plan with the Council’s Corporate Consultation Officer, to ensure that opportunities for “joined-up” consultation are being achieved. 4. Identifies the specific resources for the consultation – including any external resources being sought. 5. Identifies clearly who is doing what – this might include some actions for external agencies. 6. Ensure collection of relevant monitoring and review data.
Monitoring and Review. 8.2. The performance of the SCI will be measured in relation to the following indicators and targets. 8.3. The LDF Annual Monitoring Report will identify the extent to which these targets have been achieved, and include a wider evaluation of the SCI’s performance. 8.4. The Council’s performance in relation to its SCI will be subject to scrutiny and overview, possibly involving external representation (specific proposals still to be prepared). 8.5. Along side the annual monitoring review the City Council will regularly update its consultation database and consultation lists.
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SCI Performance Indicators and Targets Output Indicator Target
Objective 1 To maximise awareness of the Local Development Framework and significant planning proposals in Plymouth’s communities. Number of comments / representations Target not able to be set against, received at Issues & Options, Preferred as no experience of new planning Options and Submission stages. system against which benchmarks can be set. Objective 2 To tap into the vast amount of knowledge that local people, groups and organisations (referred to as stakeholders) have about the city, to ensure that the planning decisions are based on sound information and evidence. % of Area Action Plan’s Issues & Options 100% papers informed by community planning studies / area studies.
Objective 3 To seek wide involvement from all sectors of the community and stakeholders in the identification of key issues and options for the future development of the City. Extent to which representation is Representation is achieved from the achieved from all sections of the following groups at least equivalent community. to their representation in Plymouth’s population: • Black and ethnic minorities. • Women. • Young people. Objective 4 To provide opportunity for all people and other stakeholders to put forward their views on planning matters. Customer satisfaction with ease Target not to be set until benchmark of access to inputting to planning survey undertaken. consultations.
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9. Appendix 1: The Local Development Framework.
9.1. The LDF is a new style statutory development plan, introduced under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (available from www.odpm.gov.uk). It is best described as a folder of different planning policy documents (known as Local Development Documents), with each document concentrating on a separate topic. Each LDD is individually produced in accordance with the LDS. Together, the LDDs will provide a framework guiding the development of Plymouth. In this sense, it is quite different to the old-style Local Plans. 9.2. The LDF is based on three principles: 1. Sustainable development (development that enables us to meet our own needs but not at the expense offuture generations to meet their own needs) 2. A Spatial Planning system (which looks at the use of land and the activities on it) 3. Continuous community involvement in the planning process 9.3. This will enable the Council to take a fresh look at Plymouth and develop a strategic approach that influences land use and the activities that take place in communities, improves the quality of people’s lives and reflects their aspirations.
Key Component Documents that form the LDF. 1. Local Development Strategy (LDS) sets the scope and timetable for the various documents that comprise the LDF 2. Statement of Community Involvement sets out the standards for community engagement throughout the process of preparing the LDF 3. Core Strategy -, sets out the vision for the long term future of the City, in line with the City Strategy. 4. Criteria Based Policies defining how development proposals will be assessed in terms of their contribution to achieving the strategy 5. Proposals for Sites defining the land allocations required to implement the strategy 6. Proposals Map Illustrates the location and extent of all development proposals and policies and inset maps. 7. Area Action Plans Proposals and Policies for the development of specific areas of change or conservation. 9.4. The Local Development Documents (LDDs) are split into different document types: 1. Development Plan Documents (DPDs) which will form part of the statutory development plan. 2. Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) which will amplify policies of the statutory development plan. 3. Other Development Plan Documents (ODPDs) which will relate to the
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process of LDD preparation. 9.5. Development Plan Documents will be used to guide the consideration and determination of planning applications.They will also help guide the strategic development of Plymouth. All DPDs are subject to public consultation and independent examination during their production, as outlined in the LDS. The type and level of community involvement will differ from DPD to DPD dependent on its topic and strategic context. It is the role of the SCI to ensure the appropriateness of the community engagement and also to ensure the statutory Government attainment targets are met. 9.6. Supplementary Planning Documents add more detail to the policies and proposals in the DPDs and explain and elaborate them. Unlike the DPDs, SPDs are not subject to statutory public consultation nor are they submitted to the Sectary of State for adoption. They are, however, subject to non-statutory public consultation set out in the SCI and upon their submission into the LDF they must have a statement of conformity with the SCI, which must include specific details: 1. How the document has been consulted on 2. Who was consulted 3. A summary of the main issues raised in the consultation and how they have been addressed in the SPD. 9.7. Other Development Plan Documents such as the Sustainability Appraisal of LDDs and the Statement of Community Involvement must also be subject to consultation.
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10. Appendix 2. List of Consultees.
10.1. List A – Specific consultation bodies that the Council shall consult with in order to comply with statutory requirements: 1. British Gas 2. Caradon District Council 3. Countryside Agency 4. Dartmoor National Park Authority 5. Devon County Council 6. Electronic Communications Code Operators/Controllers of Electronic Communication Apparatus 7. English Nature 8. Environment Agency 9. Highways Agency 10. Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England 11. Ministry of Defence 12. Relevant Electric and Gas Companies 13. Relevant Government Offices and Departments 14. Relevant Sewerage and Water Undertakers 15. South Hams District Council 16. South West Regional Assembly 17. South West Regional Development Agency 18. South West Water 19. Strategic Health Authority 20. Strategic Rail Authority 21. Telecommunications companies 22. Torbay Council 23. West Devon Borough Council
Note: 10.2. Only those in italics will be consulted in respect of the SCI 10.3. List B - General consultation bodies that the Council will consult with where necessary 10.4. Voluntary bodies whose activities benefit any part of the City Council’s area Bodies, which represent the interests of: 1. Different racial, ethnic or national groups, 2. Different religious groups, 3. Disabled persons, 4. Persons carrying on business.
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10.5. List C – Other consultation bodies that the City Council will consult with where appropriate 1. Age Concern 2. Airport Operators 3. British Chemical Distributors and Trade Association 4. British Geological Survey 5. British Waterways, canal owners and navigation authorities 6. Centre for Ecology and Hydrology 7. Chambers of Commerce, Local CBI and local branches of Institute of Directors 8. Church Commissioners 9. Civil Aviation Authority 10. Coal Authority 11. Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment 12. Commission for New Towns and English Partnerships 13. Commission for Racial Equality 14. Crown Estate Office 15. Diocesan Board of Finance 16. Disability Rights Commission 17. Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee 18. Electricity, Gas, and Telecommunications Undertakers, and the National Grid Company 19. Environmental groups at national, regional and local level, including: i. Council for the Protection of Rural England ii. Friends of the Earth iii. Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and iv. Wildlife Trusts 20. Equal Opportunities Commission 21. Fire and Rescue Services 22. Forestry Commission 23. Freight Transport Association 24. Gypsy Council 25. Health and Safety Executive 26. Help the Aged 27. Housing Corporation 28. Learning and Skills Councils 29. Local Agenda 21 including: i. Civic Societies; ii. Community Groups;
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iii. Local Transport Authorities; iv. Local Transport Operators; and v. Local Race Equality Councils and other local equality groups; National Playing Fields Association; Network Rail; Passenger Transport Authorities; Passenger Transport Executives; Police Architectural Liaison Officers/Crime Prevention Design Advisors 30. Port Operators 31. Post Office Property Holdings 32. Rail Companies and the Rail Freight Group 33. Regional Development Agencies 34. Regional Housing Boards 35. Regional Sports Boards 36. Road Haulage Association 37. Sport England 38. The House Builders Federation 39. Transport for London 40. Traveller Law Reform Coalition 41. Water Companies and 42. Women’s National Commission
Note 10.6. These lists are not complete or prescriptive of individual consultees but show the broad spectrum of bodies that will be consulted. A separate database is held which identifies individual consultees, which is continuously updated.
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11. Appendix 3 Glossary of Terms
AAP Area Action Plan AMR Annual Monitoring Report DC Development Control DPD Development Plan Document LDD Local Development Document LDF Local Development Framework LDS Local Development Scheme LPA Local Planning Authority LSP Local Strategic Partnership ODPD Other Development Plan Document ODPM Office Of The Deputy Prime Minister PCC Plymouth City Council PCP Plymouth Community Partnership PGVS Plymouth Guild of Voluntary Services PPS Planning Policy Statement RSS Regional Spatial Strategy RTPI Royal Town and Country Planning Institute SA Sustainability Appraisal SCI Statement of Community Involvement SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment SOS Secretary Of State SPD Supplementary Planning Document
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We need to know what you think
The statutory consultation period to respond is 29th July 2005 - 9th September 2005.
All comments must be received within this period and can be sent to:
Planning Policy Manager Planning and Regeneration Service Plymouth City Council Civic Centre Plymouth PL1 2EW
or
by fax: 01752 304294 by e-mail: [email protected]
Further copies of the leaflet and response forms are available from:
www.plymouth.gov.uk The Civic Centre (Planning Section) Local Libraries
The document is also available in Large Print, Braille, or on Audio Tape.
32 Draft Statement of Community Involvement Local Development Framework Consultation
Plymouth City Council will only use the information provided for the purpose of preparing the Local Development Framework. Please note that a copy of your response will be placed on a public register and cannot therefore be treated as confidential.
Questionnaires without a name and address cannot be included in this consultation.
All questionnaires must be returned by 5pm, Friday 9th September 2005 to:
Policy Planning Manager Planning & Regeneration Services Plymouth City Council Civic Centre Plymouth PL1 2EW
Alternatively, please return the questionnaire to Civic Centre reception or any library
Please enter your name and address below: Please enter your agent's details (if applicable)
Title & initial Surname Address
Postcode Organisation [if applicable] Telephone Fax Email Instructions for completion:
The soundness of the draft Statement of Community Involvement is measured against a number of criteria listed overleaf. Source: Planning Inspectorate, LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORKS: ASSESSING THE SOUNDNESS OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN DOCUMENTS AND STATEMENTS OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Feb 2005 (Consultation document)
Please indicate your level of agreement (1 to 5) to the extent to which the criteria have been met by putting an X in the one box which best matches your opinion.
Completion of free text boxes is optional but offers the opportunity for you to give more detail if you do not agree that the criteria have been met, to suggest any changes to the draft SCI and to be involved in further consultations. If you require more space please continue on a separate sheet indicating the criteria number to which you refer.
Do not forget to fill in your name and address above before turning over.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE THIS QUESTIONNAIRE IN BRAILLE OR LARGE PRINT TELEPHONE 01752 307845 Please mark the appropriate box with a cross ⌧ or fill in as required Your level of agreement that the criteria have been met in this 1 = Strongly agree 3 = Neither agree nor disagree 5 = Strongly disagree consultation 2 = Agree 4 = Disagree Positive Negative
Draft Statement of Community Involvement identifies: 12345
how the City Council has complied with the minimum legal requirements for • 1. consultation how the City Council's strategy for community involvement in the planning process • 2. links with other community involvement initiatives e.g. the City Strategy (in general terms) which local community groups and other bodies will be • 3. consulted how the community and other bodies can be involved in a timely and accessible • 4. manner suitable methods of consultation to be employed for the intended audience and for • 5. the different stages in the preparation of local development documents how the City Council intends to set out, resource and manage community • 6. involvement effectively how the results of community involvement will be fed into the preparation of • 7. development plan documents and supplementary planning documents
• mechanisms for reviewing the statement of community involvement 8.
• clearly the planning authority's policy for consultation on planning applications 9.
If you do not agree that the above criteria have been met please state why, using the numbers above to indicate the specific criteria to which you refer:
10
If you would like to suggest any changes to the draft SCI please state below including a reference number:
11
If you are a member of a resident, action group or voluntary organisation and YOUR GROUP would like to be involved in further consultations, please provide the contact details for the Secretary/Chair of your group:
12
Would your group wish to be consulted on:
Yes No
planning issues in your particular neighbourhood 13
planning issues city wide 14
Thank you for completing this questionnaire Draft Statement of Community Involvement Preferred Option Consultation
To help us to be sure that we are reaching all sections of the community we would like you to provide some details about yourself which will not be disclosed. This information will be used for monitoring purposes only and will be treated in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. The Data Controller for Plymouth City Council is the Corporate Information Manager who can be contacted at the Civic Centre, Plymouth PL1 2EW.
Please mark the appropriate box with a cross ⌧ or fill in as required Your Gender: