Agenda item

The committee is invited to:

(a)  Comment upon the revised draft Statement of Community Involvement (SCI).

(b)  Make recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Planning regarding any alterations to the draft SCI document prior to Cabinet.

Councillor Catherine Webber, Cabinet member for Planning, introduced the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) report. The committee’s views were sought on the revised SCI, which had been presented with tracked changes, to reflect updates made since consideration of comments during the six-week consultation period in February 2020, and the impact of Covid-19. The three separate documents have been combined into one, to improve accessibility.

The chairman invited members to raise their questions and views, section by section. Planning officers and the Cabinet member for Planning were present to answer questions.

Section one:

It was agreed that the report was clear, well laid out, based on good principles, and with evidence of improved accessibility. Plain English was requested where possible, and pre-defining of acronyms is a good practice. Possible shortening of documents and diversity in photographs was another view expressed. In the introduction on page 13 of the meeting pack - need to remove the preposition.

A request was made to hold Councillor training on the wider principles of planning – environmental impact assessments, local plan etc. It was agreed that this may be possible – Cabinet member for Planning to explore options.

Section two:

Page 21, 10.4: It was confirmed that the site selection method and document has not yet been produced for the new Local Plan.

Page 24, 11.10: How do we determine a significant environmental effect? Which sites would require a Development Plan Document? The committee were informed that the scope of the screening is set out in legislation. If it meets criteria, strategic environmental assessment with partners such as Natural England, Environment Agency and Historic England. It was agreed that item 11.10 would benefit from rewording. Officers also clarified that if a strategic environmental assessment is not required, an appraisal can be undertaken to show that sustainability is embedded in the plan.

Link to the LPP2 Sustainability Appraisal was provided as requested:

http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/java/support/dynamic_serve.jsp?ID=1173041573&CODE=562231D9660B6B1937B8845D0B2E25A7

On page 22, it was asked how policy documents are activated. In response, it was confirmed that Area Action Plans (AAPs) are a Council decision, examples being Didcot Garden Town and Dalton Barracks – where there is sufficient change. AAP’s are used sparingly. SPD’s are subservient to the Local Plan. An action arose from this item to reword in order to clarify.

Page 30, 11.32: Who reviews Local Development Orders (LDO)? It was confirmed that this happens every 10 years, currently in progress in the Milton Park LDO. This should be presented to scrutiny within the next 9 months.

Item 11.9 – 11.12: A link was requested to show example documents.

Section three:

Councillors agreed it was good to see the methods used for notification. On page 39, it was asked why Residents Associations were struck out of the document. It was confirmed that there aren’t any of these, so it was misleading to include them.

A discussion took place regarding notifying, and it was concluded that the letter going to households, which currently is correctly addressed to the homeowner as required, could include a line to ask tenants to pass the letter onto the landlord/owner. Land registry searches would be required to get the exact name of each owner, which is time consuming, costly and not always up-to-date details.

A request was made to include a line in the notification letters to ask tenants to pass information about developments to the owner.

Cabinet member for Planning added that Vale of White Horse District Council goes above what is required in terms of notification. A site notice is the requirement, so this council is going above requirement by sending neighbouring homeowners a letter.

The committee discussed development forums, and how more community organisation is required to hear views. Could there be a document that shows how we help residents to object or support a development.

Cabinet member for Planning added that for Valley Park, there is a forum set up by the developer, and ward Councillors will be involved.

Paragraph 24, page 10: it was confirmed that the £2,000 figure was a printing budget.

RESOLVED: to welcome the head of planning’s report on the changes to the Statement of Community Involvement and request that, before submitting it to Cabinet for approval, the head of planning amends the draft statement to include a section on engagement with development forums for developments over 200 homes, highlighting how residents can get involved.