SCI Regulation 28 Statement of Consultation - Scarborough ...

3.0 General Principles
3.1 The Principles of the SCI
3.1.1 Community involvement in the planning process is encouraged to:
• Improve understanding of the issues;
• Lead to development better suited to the Borough’s needs;
• Create consensus around new plans and proposals;
• In consequence, reduce conflict and objection, so speeding up the process of
making planning decisions; and
• Ultimately lead to a better quality of life in the Borough.
3.1.2 The planning process includes all the different facets of the service, including the
production of the LDF (to replace the existing Borough Local Plan) and other policy
documents and the consideration of planning applications.
3.1.3 Preparation of this SCI will be undertaken in accordance with the regulations and
guidance issued under the Planning and Compensation Act 2004. As with other
elements of the Local Development Framework, the SCI must be widely consulted
upon and examined by an Independent Inspector prior to formal adoption. Early
participation is important and this current stage will help the Council identify the most
effective means of community involvement.
3.2 Benefits of Community Involvement
3.2.1 By getting you involved we hope some of the benefits will be as follows:
• Greater community ownership of Council strategies, policies and documents.
• Greater emphasis on the public’s priority issues.
• Greater transparency and accountability.
• The ability for community and outside groups to influence planning decisions.
• Better working relationships.
• More efficient use of resources.
• Greater understanding of Council services and procedures.
• Greater understanding of decisions made on planning applications.
3.3 What You Can Expect of the Local Planning Authority
3.3.1 The Planning Service will aim to encourage community involvement and take all
reasonable steps to foster good working relationships with the public. We will raise
awareness of planning by:
• Publicising the opportunities for your involvement and the timetable for
comment.
• Explaining the reasons for involving you and ask for either formal or informal
comments.
• Provide information which will allow meaningful consideration of the
document/publication.
• Use various methods of publicity to ‘spread the net’ as wide as possible.
• Involve you at the earliest possible stage.
3.3.2 We will aim to improve participation by:
• Keeping documents jargon free as far as possible.
• Ensuring that meetings and exhibitions are accessible to all.
• Providing advice, assistance and attending meetings where requested.
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