Have your say on new Northumberland planning blueprint

Posted by The Journal on May 7, 09 10:53 AM in Councils

A blueprint aimed at getting people across Northumberland more involved in planning issues which affect their communities is being drawn up by officials at the county's new super council.

Local people and organisations are now being asked for their views on the document, which will set out how they can contribute to and influence planning policies and decisions in the future.

The Statement of Community Involvement will become a key part of the new unitary council's planning service, which has replaced the seven separate planning systems which existed prior to April 1 when the districts were abolished.

The new authority says it wants to be closer to the people it serves, and claims the document will show its commitment to involving local residents, community groups and other stakeholders in new plans and decisions.

It also aims to ensure that people are properly consulted and treated fairly on planning issues in whatever part of the county they live.

County hall bosses want to identify ways of involving a wider range of voices and interests in the planning process including young people.

Proposed work with young people includes using the county's Youth Cabinet, consulting them on policies via school citizenship lessons and exploring the use of interactive methods such as text messaging and online forums.

The council's current protocol on consulting with neighbours and others on planning applications already goes beyond the minimum standards required by law.

But the draft Statement of Community Involvement poses questions about the breadth of consultation on particular types of application, and the council welcomes views on this.

Coun Jim Smith, executive member for regeneration, housing and planning, said: "We want to make sure that the approaches we have set out in the draft statement are the right ones, and the best ways of making sure that we can engage people in planning
matters.

"We want to know if there is more that we can do to get local groups involved in planning issues and proposals."

The comments of more than 200 groups and individuals have already been taken into account when drafting the statement, and a formal consultation is now underway which will run until June 26.

People can view the document in council offices or via the council's website. They can comment in writing to Gordon Halliday , head of planning strategy, County Hall, Morpeth, NE61 2EF or by email to planningstrategy@northumberland.gov.uk.

The new authority has set up four separate planning committees, covering the north of the county, the west, Blyth Valley and Wansbeck, as well as a central committee to deal with major applications.

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