Isle of Wight council has launched a new draft document – a ‘Statement of Community Involvement’ (SCI), which sets out the opportunities people will have to give the council their views on emerging policy in development plans and planning applications.
The current version of the SCI was prepared in 2015 and the local planning authority is now consulting with Islanders on an updated version.
LGA Peer Review
The latest version of the SCI has been prepared partly in response to one of the recommendations in the recent Local Government Association Peer Review.
One aim is to simplify the document where possible as well as including some new information relating to how and when people can be involved in neighbourhood plans.
Key principles for engagement
Four key principles for engagement are set out in the new SCI and that is that any consultation process should be:
- Timely
- Simple
- Accessible
- Transparent
Fuller: Really important for residents to engage in the planning process
Councillor Paul Fuller, Cabinet member for Planning, Coastal Protection and Flooding said,
“We think it is really important for residents to engage in the planning process and help shape our policies in their response to planning applications.
“This process offers a meaningful opportunity to feedback, and for the Council to listen to what people think of proposals for consultation as set out in our Statement of Community Involvement.”
Drew: Important we get these consultation methods right
Councillor Warren Drew, Chair of Isle of Wight Council’s Planning Committee added,
“The SCI is an important document as, amongst other things, it sets out how the local planning authority will consult on planning applications; some of which ultimately appear before us at Planning Committee.
“It is important we get these consultation methods right, so that all stakeholders are encouraged to contribute to the planning application process.”
Find out more on the council’s Website. An online questionnaire is also available.
Alternatively comments can be emailed to [email protected] or by writing to Planning Policy Team, IOW Council, Seaclose Offices, Fairlee Road, Newport, PO30 2QS.
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
Image: John Schnobrich under CC BY 2.0
