This chapter sets out our general approach to involving communities in planning decisions. It covers those elements of our approach that are common to planning policy and planning applications and permissions. It answers the following questions:

• How do we consult?
• What is the best way to make a comment?
• What can you comment on?

The chapters that follow deal with the elements of our approach to consultation that are specific to planning policy and planning applications and permissions.

How do we consult?

We consult in a variety of ways ensuring that methods are proportionate to the scale and impact of the plan, policy or proposal, appropriate to those we need to consult and within available resources. Such methods may include:

• Digital communication - Website, emails, video conferencing, social media, online discussions
• Paper communication - Letters, site notices, local press, documents made available at public libraries and other public buildings
• Face to face discussions - Meetings, exhibitions, through local elected Members, representative groups, workshops

We will always try to communicate in plain English and fully explain any necessary technical language or acronyms. Documents may also be available in different languages or formats (such as large print or Braille) if requested.

What is the best way to make a comment?

We would prefer you to contact us electronically as this saves time and cost. We prefer comments to be made to us online, as this is quicker and means that your comments are more readily available. However, we understand that not everyone can or wishes to contact us online and therefore written or emailed comments can be made, but we cannot take your views by telephone or via social media (unless part of an event formally organised by us).

With both planning policy and planning applications, the ways you can respond, and the timescales, will be set out in the consultation information and we will also give you any relevant reference numbers to quote to ensure your comments are matched with the relevant planning application or section of a policy document.

What can I comment on?

We can only take account of comments made about relevant planning matters. Some examples of relevant planning matters include:

• National and local planning policies
• Effect of the proposed development on the appearance of an area
• Quality of design and how the proposal fits in
• Significant overbearing impact and loss of sunlight and daylight (e.g. significant overshadowing from a new building)
• Loss of privacy to neighbouring properties
• Economic benefits/disbenefits of the proposal
• Effect on parking, traffic and highway safety issues
• Significant increase in noise and general disturbance
• Loss of important trees or impact on wildlife
• Intrusion into the countryside
• Impact on historic buildings or structures

Concerns which are not normally relevant to the planning process:

• Loss or harm to a private view
• Loss of property value
• Breach of private covenant
• Loss of trade to a competitor
• Level of profit a developer might make
• Personal circumstances of the applicant (other than in exceptional cases)
• Character of the applicant
• Nuisance caused by building works
• Moral objections (e.g. to uses such as amusement arcades and betting offices)
• Boundary or neighbour disputes
• Conflict with private access

Oral, defamatory, offensive or anonymous comments cannot be taken into consideration.

We need to ensure our consultation is valid and therefore we will need to ask for the names and contact details of consultees and any organisations that they represent (if appropriate). We may also need further information to help us understand who is responding and to help monitor the effectiveness of the ways we consult.

When comments are received they will be uploaded to the relevant part of the Council’s website (planning application or plan consultation) once email addresses and personal signatures have been removed.