Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director, Economy and Public Protection

The Cabinet Member with the Economy Portfolio introduced the report (previously circulated) of the Executive Director of Economy and Public Protection to seek approval for consultation on an updated version of its Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) Part 1 (Local Plan).

The submitted report stated that a SCI sets out how Local Planning Authorities will involve local communities, businesses and key stakeholders in the preparation of the Local Plan and any future Development Plan Documents (DPD’s) or Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD’s), and that authorities are required to review their SCI’s at least every five years.  It was reported that the Darlington SCI – Part 1 was last reviewed in August 2020 with temporary updates made to reflect national COVID 19 pandemic restrictions.

The submitted report outlined that the proposed update would remove these restrictions and allow some other minor updates to be consulted on prior to the statutory consultation periods on the Local Plan Review. It was reported that an updated Design of New Development Supplementary (SPD) would also be prepared and consulted upon alongside the review of the Local Plan in line with the content of the updated SCI, and that once consultation had taken place and any comments received had been considered, an updated version would be brought back to Cabinet and Council for adoption.

RESOLVED - That the submitted Draft Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) Part 1 (Local Plan) be agreed for a public consultation.

REASON – The Council is required to have an up-to-date SCI as part of the plan review process.