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.
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. 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
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.”
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.”
Link to the draft: Statement of Community Involvement (iow.gov.uk) and an online questionnaire is 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.
“Involvement in the planning process”
Not a chance. The council will make all the right noises and then do what the hell they want.
Or at least what the developers want,
“We think it is really important for residents to engage in the planning process”
A priceless comment – as when residents comment (object or support) a planning application their views are ignored.
Plenty of planning applications with many objections still approved.
Pennyfeathers? West Acre? Etc
I was going to make my own response but to be honest, you comment sums it up precisely.
I totally agree, no point whatsoever in thinking anything will change.
Too many brown envelopes changing hands
Ask. Listen. Act on the majority not what the developers want.
Or you can just keep digging that hole deeper and deeper
Far too little and far too late, transparency and the council cannot be used in the same sentence, we want your involvement and then we will totally ignore it, who are they trying to kid.
Let’s just see if the Council “does what it says on the tin!” and not only listens to communities but acts on their wishes the way it should.
Allegations of corruption within the planning dept consistently swirl around their decisions eg planners being taken out to lunch meetings by developers on a monthly basis! How can that be ethical?? Won’t be long before an enquiry is asked for!
IoW Council/planning dept should be made to make more of an effort to be completely transparent during these processes and not just talk the talk!
It’s a mockery. At the end of the day it depends WHO is engaging in the planning process, and also WHERE.
If someone has a bit of clout then they are listened to. If it is just Joe or Jane Public with no connections then they’re not interested. Sad but true fact of life.
Ask Bembridge.
They should add being ‘Objective’ to their list of principles.
Planning should be objective in all its decisions when weighing up the pros and cons, and making decisions.
There is far too much subjective decisions, based on existing relationships with developers, the influence of other interested parties, and also political persuasion.
Go on stick it in.
They backed their own when Mosdell didn’t do it right.
Many Houseowners do what they want, what you dont see you dont know.
What’s the point? Every time I comment on a planning application there is no acknowledgment and the comments are just ignored. If the council is going to change anything talk to the people who take the time and effort to share their thoughts and understand the reason for the comments
Dear Mr Fuller and Drew – as you can see from these comments, the majority of Island Residents have no faith in the planning process and department. The current process described in the SCI does not work. It is not transparent nor consistent. Planning Officers ignore objections in some cases but not others. Neighbourhood Development Plans are ignored. Added to the fact that some planning committee members feel they ‘know best’ is it any wonder we have no faith in the system. Let’s hope this is not a ‘box ticking exercise’ and we will be listened to when we comment.