Screening Report for Draft Neighbourhood Plan

Planning Advisory Service (PAS)

Grŵp agored | Wedi dechrau - Gorffennaf 2012 | Gweithgaredd diwethaf - Wythnos yma | aelodau 1177

Tabinda Chowdhury, Addaswyd 9 Diwrnod yn ôl.

Youngling Post: 1 Dyddiad Ymuno: 16/07/26 Bostiadau diweddar

I am currently preparing a screening report for a draft Neighbourhood Plan ahead of consultation with the statutory consultees on the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) screening opinion.

The Parish Council has requested sight of the draft screening report before it is issued for consultation, as they would like an informal indication of whether the emerging view is that the plan is likely to require SEA and/or HRA.

I am seeking clarification on whether it is appropriate to share the draft screening report at this stage, prior to consultation with the statutory bodies and before a formal screening determination has been reached.
My concern is that the report contains a provisional assessment which may be subject to change following consultee responses after the 5 week consultation.

Has anyone dealt with a similar situation or can point me towards any legislation, guidance, case law or best practice that addresses whether draft SEA/HRA screening reports may be shared with a Parish Council before consultation with the statutory consultees has been undertaken?

Any advice or experiences would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

richard white, Addaswyd 8 Diwrnod yn ôl.

RE: Screening Report for Draft Neighbourhood Plan

Jedi Master Postiadau: 252 Dyddiad Ymuno: 26/11/18 Bostiadau diweddar

Part of the question is 'who are you working for?' - What I mean by that is that you are probably employed at a District or Unitary but allocated the task of supporting the Parish with their NP. So the 'client' for this task is probably the Parish, not the District. So the request is from your client not from a stakeholder. (Compare and constrast with similar draft Local Plan work for example.) And of a course a client can see a draft report. But not a lot of Districts/Unitaries see it that way!

Jo Witherden, Addaswyd 8 Diwrnod yn ôl.

RE: Screening Report for Draft Neighbourhood Plan

Padawan Postiadau: 35 Dyddiad Ymuno: 21/10/11 Bostiadau diweddar

Hi Tabinda

Where I am based the NP body has sometimes had to draft their own screening opinion because the LPA did not have the capacity to do so. My experience is that the more informal sharing that can take place between the LPA and NP body the more trust is built. It also allows the NP body to consider or even suggest changes that may ultimately be helpful.

Warm regards, Jo