Advice to Farah Pasha

Back to list

Enquiry

From
Farah Pasha
Date advice given
7 July 2011
Enquiry type
Phone

Correspondent asked about the IPC's requirements around public consultation and how the Localism Bill would amend these.

Advice given

Under s.47, the developer must consult with the 'host' local authority/ies on the content of their statement of community consultation (SOCC). The form and content of any consultation exercise is not heavily prescribed and it is for the developer to determine having regard to views expressed by the local authority. They must then consult public in the vicinity of the proposal in line with the SOCC and have regard to the views expressed in shaping their proposal. Developers must submit a consultation report with their application which details how they have complied with the relevant provisions of the Planning Act 2008 (PA 2008). Compliance with the duty to consult is one of the tests applied at the acceptance stage.

The Localism Bill does not seek to significantly amend the duty to consult the public, but some changes around, for example, publicity requirements for the SOCC, have been proposed.