New Pressure on Developers to Listen to Local Communities

Developers wanting to put up 10 or more homes will be expected to seek the community's views before they submit a planning application, under new rules introduced this month by North Norfolk District Council.

From 1 July, 2006, any proposal for a 'major' development should include a 'Statement of Community Involvement' (SCI) - an explanation of what the developers have done to engage the community as preparation for submitting their application, and how the community's reaction has been incorporated into the plans.

Major applications are defined as housing developments of 10 or more dwellings, or outline residential applications for 10 or more homes, or on a site of at least 0.5 hectares. They also include developments with a floor area of more than 1000sq m, or with a site area of 1 hectare or more. Planning officers can also designate other significant developments as 'major'.

As part of the Local Development Framework (LDF) process - the new way of producing what used to be known as Local Plans - NNDC has produced its own Statement of Community Involvement. This sets out what the Council is doing to consult the community on proposals for new planning policies in the LDF. It also contains guidance on what developers will be expected to do to when bringing forward their proposals. Other local authorities will similarly be developing their own proposals for community consultation mechanisms.

This might include, at the very least, consulting the local town or parish council, informing local District Councillors, advertising in a local newspaper, putting up notices on the site, and informing the site's neighbours and occupiers. For controversial plans or plans for sensitive sites, extra activities like holding public meetings or exhibitions would have to be agreed with planning officers.

Any views or comments from the local community should be sent to the prospective developers and their publicity must explain how that can be done. Comments on any proposals at this early stage will not prevent anyone from making further comments to the Council at the formal planning application stage.

The Council cannot refuse to accept an application because a statement has not been submitted or it is considered insufficient, but delays or refusal could result if the procedure is not followed properly.

Councillor Virginia Gay, Cabinet Member for Planning, said: "We all hope that the public will take advantage of the new requirement on potential developers. It should enable the community to influence proposals at the earliest possible stage."

ENDS