New guidance to encourage public participation in planning

Date published: 20 December 2005

New guidance to encourage public participation in planning for more sustainable communities was launched at the Planning Inspectorate's Annual Meeting.

The new documents provide best practice guidance for local authorities, planning agents, and other interested parties - including developers and local residents - on the approach to be taken to public examinations of the 'soundness' of development plan documents and statements  of community involvement.

Development plan documents and statement of community involvement are subject to public examinations conducted by Planning Inspectors. They form the major part of the Local Development Frameworks that local authorities in England are required to produce under the new planning system, introduced by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

ODPM Minister Baroness Andrews welcomed the publication of the new guidance. She said:

"Planning is one of the most important tools available to local authorities to deliver sustainable communities. To be an effective tool, however, planning needs to be relevant to people's lives. Above all it needs to be accessible, practical and clear.

"That is why we are launching these guides - to provide practical advice and guidance to all those involved in the new local development framework process. The material in this guide will help everyone to understand what the key tests will be when development plan documents and statements of    community involvement are examined by an Inspector from the Planning    Inspectorate. The guides will also help any individual or group frame their comments on the plan or statement and it explains how those comments will be considered by an impartial Inspector.

"It is another step forward in achieving the culture change we are  seeking in planning - a culture change which will enable communities to engage fully and creatively with the process of developing better places to live and work in, in the future."