Council Seeks Input on Resident Involvement in Planning

The following received in the inbox today.

Dear Sir/ Madam,

Consultation on the updated Statement of Community Involvement

Haringey Council has released an updated Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) for consultation.

I am writing to you because you are on the council’s Local Plan consultation database and I would like your views on how we engage communities in the planning processes.

What is the Statement of Community Involvement?

As a local planning authority, the council is required to publish a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) explaining how we will involve the community in the preparation of local planning documents and in the consideration of planning applications.

The SCI outlines the key principles and standards which the council will apply when undertaking consultation and identifies the different methods we will use to engage the community, including specific methods targeted at engaging traditionally hard to reach groups.

Why are we revising the existing SCI?

Haringey’s SCI was initially adopted in 2008. While it was updated in 2011, in the past four years there have been further changes to planning legislation and planning system that require the Council to revise and update the statement again.

These changes include:

• changes to planning terminology, including the re-introduction of the concept of Local Plans (previously known as the ‘Local development Framework’);
• a move from development ‘control’ to ‘management’ in the planning application process;
• the introduction of neighbourhood planning and neighbourhood plans;
• the Duty to Cooperate; and
• the introduction of the Community Infrastructure Levy.

In addition, the Council recognises the expanding role of electronic communications, including email, social media and apps, in providing new and potentially more effective methods to engage residents in planning matters

The SCI is relevant to the entire Borough of Haringey and the purpose of the consultation is to seek the views of those who work and live in Haringey and any other interested parties on the content of the revised SCI.

How to get involved?

The consultation on the updated SCI will be open for eight weeks -

Monday 10th August to Friday 2nd October 2015 (closing at 5pm)

During the consultation period, the updated SCI will be available (Note from HoL - The two key documents are attached below. Historic versions are available at the addresses given):

• online at www.haringey.gov.uk/SCI; and
• hard copies available in all libraries and at the Council office at River Park House.

The council is holding a community workshop in September to give people a chance to learn more about the SCI and to talk to staff.

Date: Monday 14 September
Time: 6.30 – 8 pm
Venue: Civic centre, High Road, London, N22 8LE

We are asking people to register for the workshop to ensure that there are enough facilitators to help run the session. Please register by emailing ldf@haringey.gov.uk or by calling the planning policy team on 020 8489 1479.

To comment on the SCI you can send your comments to Council by email or post.

Email:

ldf@haringey.gov.uk

Post:

Planning policy
River Park House
225 High Road
Wood Green N22 8HQ

What happens next?

Following the close of consultation, we will collate, analyse and provide a summary of the consultation findings before reporting on the results of the consultation immediately after. The council is aiming to adopt the updated SCI later this year.

Thank you for taking the time to participate. We look forward to receiving your comments on the updated SCI.

If you require further information on the updated SCI please contact the Haringey Planning Policy Team on 0208 489 1479 or ldf@haringey.gov.uk

Yours faithfully

Regards,

Mercy Oruwari on behalf of Planning Policy
Planning Policy, Design & Conservation Support Officer
Planning Policy and Development
6th Floor River Park House
225 High Road
Wood Green
N22 8HQ
email: ldf@haringey.gov.uk

PP: Stephen Kelly

Assistant Director – Planning