The milestone document Planning Policy Statement 1 (PPS1 – Delivering Sustainable Development) adopts a more in-depth approach when it comes to community participation and planning applications than the previous PPG1.

Planning is now seen as shaping the places where people work and live. As the outcome of the planning system affects everyone, it follows that everyone should have the opportunity to play a role in developing the planning policy framework.

Community involvement is thus seen as vitally important to planning and the achievement of sustainable development.

The system for involving the community in LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORKS is already clear with tools such as the STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT being produced.

But PPS1 also commits to greater involvement at planning application stage. An inclusive approach should be adopted to ensure that all community groups have an opportunity to participate. No-one should be disadvantaged by the planning applications process.

We see this as involving:

• CONTACTING NEIGHBOURS AND LOCAL GROUPS (IF ANY) PRIOR TO APPLICATION SUBMISSION TO NEGOTIATE THE SCHEME DESIGN

• PUBLIC EXHIBITIONS

• COMMUNITY FOCUS GROUPS ON PROJECTS.

• PLANNING WORKSHOPS

• STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS

• LEAFLETS AND BRIEFING DOCUMENTS

• NEIGHBOURHOOD LETTERS AND QUESTIONNAIRES

• PROJECT WEBSITES AND PHONE LINES.

• E-MAIL RESPONSES TO SCHEMES.

• RESPONSE REPORTS ON THE CONSULTATIONS TO CLIENTS

These participatory tools are aimed at positively influencing the design, layout and content of a development project, by effective communication with those who will be most involved with it when it is built and used.

ENABLING PROJECTS now offers these services. Please CONTACT US if you feel that we can assist in getting your project involved with the local community.

A planning, community and sustainability led approach to schemes is the best way forward for all involved in the planning and development process. For more on this please see PLANNING CONSULTANCY and SUSTAINABILITY SERVICES. You can also see the PROJECT TYPES that we work on and our TRACK RECORD.