Residents, businesses and other stakeholders can have their say about how their local councils involve them in decision-making on planning policy and local development.
West Dorset District Counciland Weymouth & Portland Borough Councilwould like feedback about their first joint Statement of Community Involvement, sometimes referred to as an SCI.
The policy sets out how the councils will involve local communities and other interested parties on a range of planning matters such as planning policy development, including the Local Plan and relatively new measures introduced under the Localism Act such as neighbourhood plans.
It also explains how people can access information on planning issues.
Leader of West Dorset District Council Robert Gould said:
“There are clear benefits to making sure the district council engages effectively with its communities and other planning stakeholders on planning issues, including having good quality information on which to base decisions and being able to identify and resolve areas of conflict before proposals have been adopted.
“We would like people to read through the draft Statement of Community Involvement and let us know whether they think it gives enough information about how our planning service works and whether we are taking the right approach to planning engagement.“
Chairman of Weymouth & Portland Borough Council’s Management Committee, Mike Goodman said:
“Planning affects everyone who lives, works and visits our area and the borough council is committed to ensuring the needs and aspirations of our communities are considered.
“The draft Statement of Community Involvement sets out how we aim to do this but by definition we need to know what our communities and partnersthink of the policy first.
“I would encourage anyone with an interest in the future development of their area to take part in this consultation.”
All comments should be received by Thursday 17 April 2014.
To view the draft Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) and have your say go to www.dorsetforyou.com/statement-of-community-involvement/west/weymouth
Copies of the SCI are also available for inspection at the council offices between 8.30am to 5pm Mondayto Thursday and 8.30am to 4.30pm Fridays.
Comments can be emailed to [email protected]
Or write to us at:
Spatial and Community Policy, West Dorset District Council, South Walks House, South Walks Road, Dorchester, DT1 1UZ
or
Spatial and Community Policy,Weymouth & Portland Borough Council,Council Offices,North Quay,DT4 8TA
The draft document may be revised following the consultation. Any subsequent draft will be submitted to West Dorset District Council’s Executive Committee and Weymouth & Portland Borough Council’s Management Committee for approval before formal adoption by the councils.
