Getting involved

The purpose of planning has always been to make where we live as pleasant a place as possible. The best way of making this happen is to involve you in deciding how your local community is planned.

All members of the community (you, businesses, community groups and other members of the public) can contribute to the process of preparing plans.

Statement of Community Involvement

Under the new plan-led system your local planning authority must set out how it will involve the local community.

This is called a Statement of Community Involvement and forms an important part of the new-look local development frameworks.

It is better to get involved in planning at an early a stage to make sure that your views are heard.

Draft plans are also examined at inquiries by independent inspectors from the government, and everyone has an opportunity to contribute to those.

Local residents must be told about planning applications. They must be advertised to give people (known as 'third parties') the opportunity to give their views for or against them.

Your council and developers may also want to consult you about big proposals for development before a planning application is made.

Other people and organisations in your community will have different views that must be taken into account. It is unrealistic to expect that everyone can decide on the detail of everything that goes on in your area.

The Statement of Community Involvement will set out clearly how you can be involved.

Learn more about Statements of Community Involvement in Planning Policy Statement 12 (Local Development Frameworks).