Workshop report from RTPI's Planning Convention 2009.
Break out session 15: 11.40, Friday 19 June

Speakers:
Helen Metcalfe (East Midlands Planning Aid)
Simon James (Nuclear Industry Association)
Robert Lane (CMS Cameron McKenna)

The session began with an introductory presentation by Metcalfe, who indicated that the key aim of the session was to consider issues raised in the Planning Act 2008 (the Act) on pre-application consultation on nationally significant infrastructure projects. Metcalfe made clear that effective pre-application consultation leads to a more robust development application, and a shorter more efficient examination by the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC). Moreover, such consultation is now a statutory duty for the promoters. To this end the Act requires promoters to prepare a Statement of Community Consultation (SOCC).

To give an insight into the issues involved in pre-application consultations, delegates were divided into three groups, with seating arranged in circles. Each circle was equipped with a flipchart identifying the group: Happy Valley Nuclear Power, Townsville District Council, and Smallville Residents Action Group.

The atmosphere in the room then changed from attentive listening to a buzz of activity as each group started work on their allocated task. The Smallville residents identified a number of ‘holes in the SOCC’. They were concerned about the practicalities. Was twenty-eight days enough time? Did they have the resources to consider applications? They were also concerned that residents did not understand the limitations of the consultation. “We have to realise that we cannot stop this power station, this is really only about the colour of the gates.”

Townsville District Council suggested that a key factor for them was to identify a single contact person within the local authority. They expressed concerns about the funding of the SOCC. It was felt that some capacity building would be necessary, but who would pay? Planning Aid would probably need to be involved.

Happy Valley Nuclear Power were concerned about the concept of ‘vicinity’. They also felt that programming issues would need to be addressed. When should the consultation start? How to reach affected communities? How to set out the evidence trail? How does the SOCC strike the balance between consultation and promotion?

The session ended with a “Reality Check” from James and Lane.

Author:

Kate Webster

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

29-Jun-09

Sections:

News & Media

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