Issue - meetings

The Panel considered a report of the Interim Planning Policy Lead Manager, which provided details of a proposed draft Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) for North Northamptonshire Council.  The report was marked agenda item 5 on the agenda. 

It was a requirement for planning authorities to have in place an SCI which set out the broad consultation parameters for development plans and significant planning applications.  There were currently two SCIs covering North Northamptonshire, one on behalf of the former borough and district councils and one for the former County Council.  Therefore, there was a requirement for a new single SCI for North Northamptonshire.

During discussion, the following principal points were noted:

i.          The guidance on the development of Neighbourhood Plans was welcomed. 

ii.         It was considered that the document, attached at Appendix A to the report, should include reference to the following:

a.  Paragraph 2.18 – include that there may be circumstances where consultation may be less than six weeks;

b.  Paragraph 3.2 – include a definition of outline planning applications, which determine the principle of development and reference the increasing amount of development falling within the definition of permitted development;

c.   Paragraph 3.3 – add a note that planning advice should be sought prior to making an application to avoid retrospective applications;

d.  Include a paragraph to explain role of application case officers in interpreting policy and the weight to be given when considering individual applications;

e.  Add a paragraph to explain that some Neighbourhood Plans are being reviewed and the availability of grant funding through Locality;

f.    Clarify that to be successful at referendum there needs to be more than 50% of those voting to have voted in favour.

iii.   Signposting town and parish councils to the support on offer may encourage more councils to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan.  Appendix 1 to the document should therefore include a paragraph to explain the support available to town and parish councils when updating an approved Neighbourhood Plan.

RESOLVED that:

Subject to the comments made, the Draft Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) be endorsed for public consultation.

Reason for recommendation:  To ensure the Council moves towards having an adopted SCI in place in line with government legislation.