FAQ's

What is a Statement of Community Involvement?

A document prepared by the Borough Council, which sets out how it will involve local communities in the preparation of planning policy and in the process leading to the determination of planning applications.

Why is the statement being prepared; has there been one before now?

The way that Councils plan for the future needs of communities for housing, employment, local services and transport is changing. A Local Development Framework will replace the current Borough Local Plan, which was adopted in 1999. Authorities are also being encouraged to involve local people in the determination of planning applications.

The impact of planning decisions on the quality of life of communities can be significant, and the early involvement of individuals and organisations will lead to a better understanding of the changes that are being proposed and provide an opportunity to influence the outcome.

This is the Council’s first formal statement, although it has always consulted on planning matters and has policies guiding the involvement of local people and their representatives in planning matters.

What is happening with the statement now?

The Council has prepared a first draft of the statement and is asking for comments on the ways in which it proposes to consult local communities and invite them to participate in planning matters.

 What is changing?

Over the next three years the Council will start to prepare a Local Development Framework for the Borough, which will be made up of a number of documents, starting with a “Core Strategy”. The intention is to involve the Council’s partners and local communities during the key stages of putting the strategy together.

In addition where individuals or businesses submit large scale or controversial planning applications, the Council will encourage them to consult the local community, preferably before the application is submitted, or otherwise, shortly after it has been received by the Borough Council.

 When and how can I get involved?

During the preparation of the Core Strategy there will be two specific opportunities for you to get involved:

• First, to comment on information, and participate in events which will both describe the issues likely to influence the future development of the Borough and set out some early proposals relating to options for the distribution and scale of new development, and;
• Second, and at a later stage, the opportunity to comment on the option for the distribution and scale of development, which is preferred, and to suggest alternative approaches.

If it appears to us that significant or controversial planning applications are likely to affect you, the Council will expect developers to write to you, seeking your views on their proposals, and to take your views into account as their proposals progress. The Council may also encourage developers to mount local exhibitions or produce and distribute leaflets describing the application, and provide you with the opportunity to comment. The Council itself will continue to publicise and consult on applications independently.

What should I do next?

During April and May the Draft Statement of Community Involvement will be available at:

Council Offices

Wallace Green, Berwick-upon-Tweed

Northumberland County Libraries

Walkergate, Berwick-upon-Tweed:

Main Street, Seahouses;

High Street, Wooler

It can also be viewed on the Council’s website at:

www.berwick-upon-tweed.gov.uk

If you have any comments on the Draft Statement, or suggestions as to how it might be improved, you can submit them by completing a response form, which is available in both paper and electronic formats, and returning it to us by 15 th June 2005. If you do not find a copy of the form with the Statement you can contact us on:

01289 33004

Or by emailing

consultation@berwick-upon-tweed.gov.uk

And then what?

We will take your views into account, report them to the Council and publish our response. After that, at the beginning of August, we will submit the Statement, with any revisions, to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM). There will then be an opportunity to make formal representations, to be submitted by the middle of September. The ODPM may then ask the Planning Inspectorate to carry out an independent examination of the Statement. The inspector’s recommendations are binding on the Council.

There will be further publicity on these stages of the process nearer the time.

Our publications are available in alternative formats, such as large print or a language other than English. Please contact us on:

01289 330044

Or email

consultation@berwick-upon-t weed . gov. uk

Regeneration and Planning Directorate

Wallace Green

Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15 1ED

Tel. 01289 330044

Fax. 01289 332684

www.berwick-upon-tweed.gov.uk