Agenda item

To seek approval to an updated Statement of Community Involvement that has been prepared to ensure the Authority’s policy regarding consultation on planning matters is up to date and consistent with the latest regulations, national guidance and local policy.

Cabinet received a report seeking approval to an updated Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) that had been prepared to ensure the Authority’s policy regarding consultation on planning matters was up to date and consistent with the latest regulations, national guidance and local policy.

It was a statutory requirement for local authorities to have an adopted SCI and review and update the document every five years. The content of the SCI comprised:

•           Consultation on planning policy documents: this section of the SCI outlined what the public could expect from the Authority in consultation on planning policy documents such as the Local Plan and Supplementary Planning Documents.

•           Requirements for neighbourhood plans: the preparation of neighbourhood plans included specific requirements for consultation and engagement with local communities. These requirements and the approach of the Authority were set out within the SCI.

•           Consultation on planning applications: the SCI explained the development management process and how the Authority would notify and consult with the community on planning applications. 

Since the adoption of the existing SCI in 2013, the following new legislation and local and national planning policy and guidance had been introduced, which should be reflected within an updated SCI.

•           National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 2019: The NPPF set out the Government’s planning policies for England and how these should be prepared and applied at local level. The NPPF itself did not create any substantial changes to be reflected in the SCI other than clarity of referencing and contextual discussion.

•           National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG) 2014 onwards: The NPPG was a web-based resource providing planning guidance on a range of topics. Launched in March 2014 and updated regularly, the NPPG itself did not create any substantial changes to be reflected in the SCI other than clarity of referencing and contextual discussion.

•           The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 and its amendments: The Order did not alter any requirements for consultation. However, it did change some aspects of permitted development that could result in the public expecting a planning application, with associated consultation, where there was no longer a requirement for an application.

•           Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017: The Act required the SCI to set out exactly how a Council would help neighbourhood plan making bodies. At present the SCI stated that the Council would assist, manage and support but did not give any further detail about what this support would entail. This required amendment in an updated SCI.

•           Housing and Planning Act 2016:  Brownfield land register, Self-build register and the Permission in Principle: A range of new planning consent processes had been introduced since 2013. This included the brownfield land register, which included provisions for some sites to be granted Permission in Principle. Applicants now also had the opportunity to request the Local Planning Authority granted Permission in Principle, rather than seek outline planning consent.

•           North Tyneside Local Plan 2017: The Local Plan set out the planning policies and proposals to guide development within North Tyneside up to 2032. The Local Plan itself did not create any substantial changes to be reflected in the SCI other than clarity of referencing and contextual discussion.

A section should be added to the SCI relating to the monitoring of planning documents and the revised government requirements that required a review of Local Plan documents at least every five years.  Additionally, the references and web links throughout the existing SCI were out-of-date and required updating.

The Draft updated SCI was attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

Cabinet considered the following decision options: to accept the recommendation as set out in paragraph 1.2 of the report, or alternatively, to not approve the recommendations.

Resolved that (1) the proposed changes to the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) be approved; and

(2) the updated SCI 2020 be adopted to set policy for consultation on development plan preparation and planning applications.

(Reasons for decision: Under Section 18 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, the Council must prepare a SCI that sets out the Authority’s approach to engagement in planning matters. The existing SCI does not reflect current legislation and planning policy and therefore does not accurately set out the Authority’s position in this regard.)