Statement of Community Involvement
The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI), adopted by the Council in November 2007 following its examination by a planning Inspector, sets out how the Council involves the local community, businesses and other stakeholders in the preparation of LDF documents and also in the processing of planning applications. The 2008 and 2009 Amendments to the Local Development Regulations have given rise to the need for some adjustments to the SCI, these are set out in the “Statement of Community Engagement” June 2009 available to download from Related Documents.
The SCI demonstrates that the planning system will be operated by the Council in an open, transparent, accessible and inclusive way. By building rounds of consultation into the LDF preparation and planning application processes, the local community and stakeholders will have the opportunity to voice opinions on whether particular policies or development proposals are appropriate to the District’s needs.
Above all, the purpose of the SCI is to bring a sense of ownership throughout the local community and stakeholders by actively involving them in decision making about West Somerset’s future.
Following the enactment of the Localism Act 2011 a further review of the SCI will be necessary in order to take account of the provision of revised regulations and the inclusion of Neighbourhood Development Plans in the process.