Statement of Community Involvement 2025

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI refers to machines, computers or services being able to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. It includes things like learning, problem-solving, understanding natural language, and adapting to new information.

Annual Monitoring Report (AMR)

This is a report that the Council prepares as part of the Local Plan. The report annually assesses the extent to which policies in Local Development Documents are being achieved.

Assistive Technology

Assistive technology is used to describe products or systems that support and assist individuals with disabilities, restricted mobility or other impairments to perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible.

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)

This is a levy that local authorities can choose to charge on new developments in their area. The money collected can be used to support development by contributing towards the funding of infrastructure that the Council, local community and neighbourhoods want or need.

Community Right to Build Order (CRTBO)

This is a type of Neighbourhood Development Order and forms one of the neighbourhood planning tools introduced in the Localism Act 2011. It can be used to grant outline or full planning permission for specific development which complies with the order.

Development Plan Document (DPD)

These are Local Development Documents that are part of the Local Plan. They form the statutory development plan for the district and are subject of an independent examination. They include the following: Core Strategy, Site Allocations, Area Action Plans, and a Proposals Map.

Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA)

This is a process designed to ensure that a policy, project or scheme does not discriminate against any disadvantaged or vulnerable people within society.

General Consultation Bodies

General consultation bodies as set out under the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 Part 1 (2), as amended.

Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA)

A formal assessment by the Council of the impacts of the Local Plan on the integrity of a Natural 2000 Site (a Special Protection Area (SPA), Special Area for Conservation (SAC) or proposed SPAs or Ramsar sites).

Health Impact Assessment (HIA)

This is a process designed to ensure that a policy, project or scheme does not discriminate against any disadvantaged or vulnerable people within society with regards to health matters.

Local Development Document (LDD)

These are the individual documents that make up the Local Plan. They comprise of Development Plan Documents, Supplementary Planning Documents and the Statement of Community Involvement.

Local Plan

This is presently a portfolio of Local Development Documents, as set out in the Local Development Scheme that together provide the framework for delivering the spatial planning strategy for the District. The Local Plan is moving to a single plan format.

Local Development Scheme (LDS)

This is a three-year rolling work programme setting out the Council's timetable for preparing each Local Development Document. The scheme is revised annually in light of outcomes from the Annual Monitoring Report and published on the Council's website.

Major development

Defined as 10 or more dwellings or where the number of residential units is not given in the application, a site area of 0.5 hectares or more. For all other developments the creation of 1000 square meters or more floorspace or where the site area is 1 hectare or more.

Minor development

Defined as between 1 and 9 dwellings or where the number of residential units is not given in the application, a site area of less than 0.5 hectare. For all other developments the floorspace to be built is less than 1000 square meters or the site area is less than 1 hectare.

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

The NPPF set out government's planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied. The Framework should be read in conjunction with the Government's planning policy for traveller sites, and its planning policy for waste.

National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG)

The NPPG provides further technical guidance on a wide range of planning policy considerations and is now an online resource.

Neighbourhood Development Order (NDO)

This can grant planning permission for specific type or types of development in a specific neighbourhood area or grant planning permission outright or subject to conditions.

Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP)

The Localism Act (2011) will allow Neighbourhood Forums and Parish Councils to use new neighbourhood planning powers to establish general planning policies for the development and use of land in their area. This will be known legally as a Neighbourhood Development Plan.

Permitted Development Rights

Permitted development rights apply to certain types of work that can be performed without the need to apply for planning permission. They derive from a general planning permission granted not by the local planning authority but by Government.

Special Area of Conservation (SAC)

Areas which have been given special protection under the European Union's Habitats Directive. They provide increased protection to a variety of wild animals, plants and habitats and are a vital part of global efforts to conserve the world's biodiversity.

Special Protection Area (SPA)

Areas which have been identified by the European Commission as being of international importance for certain breeding, feeding, wintering or migration of rare and vulnerable species of bird populations found within the EU countries. They have statutory protection under the EC Directive for the Conservation of Wild Birds 79/409.

Specific Consultation Bodies

Specific consultation bodies as set out under the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 Part 1 (2), as amended.

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)

The SCI is a statutory document that sets out how and when the Council will carry out consultation and effectively engage with communities in carrying out its planning duties.

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)

This is a generic term used internationally to describe the environmental assessment of policies, plans and programmes, as originally required by European Directive (EU Directive 2001/42/EC) and transposed into English law by the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 (as amended through EU Exit legislation), or SEA Regulations. An integrated approach to SEA and the Sustainability Appraisal will be required to avoid duplication in the plan making process.

Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

These documents provide supplementary guidance to policies and proposals contained in Development Plan Documents. They do not however form part of the statutory plan, nor are they subject of independent examination, but are bound by statute and secondary legislation.