Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 4

Informal Involvement

Statutory Involvement

Statutory Involvement

No Involvement

STAGE 1: Evidence gathering and early community involvement - 'front-loading':

Who? Targeted consultation with some or all of the following: Statutory Agencies, Town and Parish Councils, Mayors Offices, Business Community, Developers, Community Groups, Residents Associations, Traders Associations

How? Workshops, Focus Groups, Discussions/Meetings, Online Events

STAGE 2: Public participation in preparation of a Local Plan (Regulation 18)

Draft planning document produced - people will have an opportunity to comment on the Council's preferred strategy or consider possible alternatives

Who? General invitation for people to make representations giving at least 6 weeks for people to comment

How? Statutory adverts in newspapers and press releases. Documents and comments forms online and at Council Offices. The Council may also hold exhibitions, workshops or meetings and online events.

STAGE 3: Publication of a Local Plan (Regulation 19)

Revised planning document produced having considered comments from the previous stage. This will be the version the Council intends to submit to the Secretary of State for Examination in Public.

Who? General invitation to comment on whether the plan has been prepared in accordance with the Duty to Cooperate, legal and procedural requirements and whether it is sound, giving at least six weeks for people to comment.

How? Statutory adverts in newspapers and press releases - formal consultation for six weeks. Documents and comments forms online and at Council Offices.

Representations on proposed submission document (Regulation 20)

The Council will summarise the main issues raised in the consultation, but all comments received at the Regulation 19 stage will be considered by the Planning Inspector appointed on behalf of the Secretary of State.

STAGE 4: Submission to Secretary of State

The document will be sent to the Secretary of State who will examine the document on its preparation in accordance with the Duty to Cooperate, legal and procedural requirements and whether it is sound. People who commented on the consultation will be advised that the document has been submitted, either by email or by post. The submission document and other associated documents/papers will be available at the Council Offices and on the Council website. The website will be kept up to date with the progress of the examination.

Independent Examination

The Planning Inspector appointed on behalf of the Secretary of State will arrange hearings and consider written representations. The Inspector will normally give people who commented at Stage 3 the opportunity to attend the Examination Hearings.

Inspector's Report

The Planning Inspector will submit a report to the Council containing recommendations for changes to be made to the document. This report is not binding and the Council will decide whether or not the changes should be made.

Consultation on Proposed Modifications

Modifications proposed by the Inspector in order to make the plan sound are consulted on.

Who? General invitation and all those who submitted representations at the Publication (reg 19) stage, giving at least six weeks for people to comment.

How? Adverts in newspapers and press releases - formal consultation for six weeks. Documents and comments forms online and at the Council Offices.

Adoption

The document will be reported to Full Council for adoption.

Monitoring and Review

Adopted planning policies are reviewed regularly in the Councils Monitoring Report and may be amended as necessary depending on the findings of that report.