How to deal with a deluge of consultation responses - Public forum - Planning Advisory Service (PAS)
Grŵp agored
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Wedi dechrau - Gorffenaf 2012
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Gweithgaredd diwethaf - May
How to deal with a deluge of consultation responses
Regulation 25 says that the local planning authority must 'take into account' any representations made. In the past we have always provided a 'Council response' to each and every representation received from a consultation. However, CLG in their responses to PPS4 reps simply summarized the issues, even though they only had 321 and we usually get far more on any consultation (see their paper "Summary of Key Issues and Analysis of Consultation responses": http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/summaryresponsespps4 ). This would be a lot simpler and quicker to do, but seems to run the risk that certain parties could claim that we haven't addressed their points adequately. Do any LPAs have experience of a PPS4-style summary of responses? Did you receive any criticisms and how did you deal with them?
Hi Martin, here at Mole Valley we have only been doing a summary of the issues for the past couple of years, this includes all the various stages required up to the Examination of the Core Strategy. It is not necessarily easier as you have to really think about the responses that you are receiving and ensure that they are grouped together appropriately. It is however much quicker and saves the huge repetition of responding individually to many representations often saying the same thing. We have had no issues with it. Admittedly we are not the biggest authority and we don't receive huge numbers of responses. Some did query the method but once the approach was explained most seems generally happy. The responses put together by the Council to key issues are perhaps easier for the public to read and they don't have to trawl through hundreds of pages. That said they are still long documents. Those that have a particular issue will generally progress this through the process and to Examination where they have the opportunity to be heard individually and for their points to be equally addressed in that way so no-one seemed to feel they had lost out. Hope that helps.
Thank you Sarah, that's very helpful. I looked on your website but couldn't find any of your summary reports, nor on your Limehouse Portal. Would you be able to provide a direct link or upload any example using the attach function? Do you have any public 'protocol' or explanation of how responses will be handled? Our SCI has some vague statements from a pre-Limehouse era, but nothing specific.
Not a problem. We took all the information off the website as everything is now done and dusted so to speak. Attached is our Regulation 30(d) Statement - catchy title I know. Page 35 onwards may provide the best example. We did not set out a protocal beforehand, but I suppose you could if your respondents are particularly interested. Enjoy!
Hi, we have also recently published only a summary of the issues raised because we received over 3000 responses to a consultation on the Waste/Minerals Core Strategy. Its the first time we've taken this approach so will let you know what the feedback from stakeholders is!