Green light for new policy about how West Northamptonshire residents have their say on planning despite concerns
West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has adopted a new policy setting out how residents will have their say on local planning, however concerns have been raised that consultation is an “illusion” with no material effect on outcomes.
The authority has green-lit a new Statement of Community Involvement (SCI), which sets out how the council will engage and consult with the public, businesses and organisations over its planning policy documents and get involved in the decisions that are made.
The new document will replace five SCIs covering the West Northamptonshire area, made up from the legacy authorities of Northampton, Daventry and South Northants, as well as a Local Plan SCI and one for minerals and waste planning.
WNC said the engagement from communities and stakeholders will “help us to better shape where we live, work and do business”.
Speaking at a planning policy meeting on November 19, principal planning policy officer Margaret Howe said the council received more than 70 responses to an eight-week consultation on the draft SCI policy.
She explained that a key issue raised within the responses was a perception that engagement has little influence on planning applications, and that more weight should be given to public opinion.
One resident wrote in their feedback to WNC: “Consultation is a misnomer. In reality, residents can have input, but that input has no significant effect on the outcome of plans.
“Consultation in reality is just a PR exercise giving people the illusion of hope where there is none.”
Another said: “It is all well and good to ask for community engagement. However, there are no guarantees given as to what weight will be given to that input.
“This community has already experienced how little weight is given to their views. How can there be any trust that the community consultation process is anything other than vacant words if no material weight is allocated to community input?”
A comment from a parish council added: “Public confidence in the consultation process has diminished, largely due to national policy shifting away from meaningful local engagement.
“Additionally, WNC appears to have limited influence over development proposals or the enforcement of reasonable planning conditions.”
Under the new SCI, the authority says that all consultations will be “meaningful and have a clear purpose”. It added that it will make engagement visible to ensure people are made aware of their opportunity to comment, accessible and easy to understand, and ensure that all responses are analysed and used to inform decision-making.
The production of an SCI is required by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. It must be reviewed every five years to ensure it is kept up to date and reflects current legislation and best practice.