Frequently Asked Questions

1. When should I start to think about the requirements of the SCI ?

The SCI encourages continuous community involvement at each stage of the application process (pre-application, application and post-application). If the proposal falls within the ‘significant’ category (Residential schemes of 50 units or more, employment/industrial schemes of 5,000 sq m or more, retail schemes of 2,500 sq m or more and leisure schemes of 1,000 sq m or more) it would be subject to wider community consultation. It is at the pre-application stage that the applicant should engage with the community and the intentions of the applicant with regard to involvement techniques should be agreed as part of the pre-application discussions with the planning officer.

2. Who will be responsible for organising the pre-application consultation?

The applicant will be responsible for organising and resourcing the pre-application consultation. The intentions of the applicant with regard to involvement techniques should be agreed as part of the pre-application discussions with the planning officer.

3. The application is for a change of use and the floor area falls into the ‘significant’ category, will it still be subject to wider public consultation?

Yes. The change of use of a building can have a significant impact on an area and the community should be consulted.

4. The application is for amendments to a development which would be regarded as ‘significant’ in the SCI , would pre-application consultation be required?

This depends on the extent of the changes and the nature of the application. If the changes are minor and do not alter the main substance of the proposal, the Council is unlikely to require pre-application consultation again. The planning application will still be subject to the Council’s normal publicity procedures so this should be sufficient. More significant amendments may require wider consultation and this would need to be agreed with the planning officer before the application is submitted.

5. Would pre-application consultation be required at outline and reserved matters stage?

Yes. The requirements of the SCI apply to both outline and reserved matters applications.

6. What happens with major applications which do not meet the significant threshold?

The SCI encourages pre-application consultation with the Community Boards and Residents Associations and we would ask the applicant to notify the relevant Community Board and Resident Association of the application at submission stage and a copy of the application should be provided to them on request. The Council has discretion to reserve the right to seek wider community involvement for these applications if they are particularly sensitive or if they will have a significant impact on the local community.

7. The SCI reserves the right to seek wider consultation for applications which are not considered ‘significant’. How do I know if my planning application falls within this category?

You should speak to a planning officer within the Development Control team for a view on this.

8. Is it ok to use a consultation technique which is not set out in the SCI ?

Yes. The SCI does not aim to be prescriptive and encourages the use of innovate techniques.

9. Where should I hold exhibitions as part of the pre-application consultation?

Exhibitions should be held locally to the proposed development and over a number of days and at varying times of the day to ensure that all sections of the community are appropriately represented. The consultation exercises should be adapted to the needs of the target audience, for example, it may be appropriate to provide crèche facilities, interpreters and additional facilities for people with disabilities.

10. Can a planning officer be involved in the pre-application consultation exercises?

Applicants should provide the local authority with reasonable access to information relating to the pre-application consultation to ensure that the procedures followed are in accordance with the SCI . The local authority will adopt a ‘watching brief’ to ensure their impartiality is maintained.

11. Can councillors be involved in pre-application consultation?

Ward councillors should be encouraged to attend consultation events but they should not give an opinion as this would prejudice them from taking part in the planning committee.

12. There is a development brief/development guidelines for the site, is pre-application consultation still required?

Yes. The development brief/development guidelines are normally produced as a result of pre-application discussions with the Council. They set out the range of adopted policies that affect the site, together with other matters of established practice, policy interpretation and on/off site potential. Sometimes they can be subject to public consultation themselves (e.g. the West of Waterlooville MDA masterplan). The masterplan will inform the production of the detailed planning application which would then be subject to community consultation by the applicant.

13. What should be submitted with the application to explain what consultation has been carried out?

You should submit a statement with the application setting out what community involvement has been undertaken prior to finalising the proposals. This would include something along the lines of:

Consultation techniques used;

List of consultees;
The consultation period;
How many representations were received;
A summary of the main comments and how they have been addressed in the proposal;
Proposals for any further consultation if appropriate.

14. How will the pre-application consultation be reported to Councillors?

Pre-application consultation will be reported in the planning officer’s report which is available to councillors on the Development Control Committee and members of the public.

15. What consultation arrangement are there for applications for County Council matters?

Planning applications for minerals and waste and County Council developments (schools, libraries, social services, highways) will be carried out in accordance with Hampshire County Council's Statement of Community Involvement which can be viewed by clicking on the following link. Hampshire County Council's Statement of Community Involvement.

Havant Borough Council, Civic Centre Road, Havant, Hampshire PO9 2AX