Statement of Community Involvement 2021 Review

Ended on the 22 September 2021

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2 Planning Policy

2.1 The National Planning Policy Framework reiterates the need for positive and effective engagement with local communities at an early stage throughout the plan-making process to realise the sustainable development of the area. This Statement of Community Involvement will set out how and when local communities will be involved and what organisations and individuals will be consulted.

2.2 The Council has significant experience in the preparation of local development documents. As set out in the Local Development Scheme, the Council will prepare a new Local Plan and a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule. Prior to consultation, draft policy documents will be taken to Full Council to be approved for consultation.

Notification and Engagement Techniques

2.3 Anyone may comment on the preparation of a planning policy document; however, it is important to ensure inclusivity throughout the plan-making process. A range of notification and engagement techniques will be employed to raise awareness and encourage participation at every stage of plan preparation. The Council recognises that some potential participants in the consultation favour paper methods of communication; electronic media will therefore not be solely relied upon. The scale of techniques used however will be dependent on document stage and may be subject to time and resource constraints. The following techniques will therefore be employed as appropriate:

Mailing list – The Council operates a database of individuals and organisations that have expressed an interest in the plan-making process, have previously been actively involved in policy development or are statutory consultees. Those who wish to be involved will be directly notified at each stage either through email or letter of opportunities to comment. Those who are interested in planning policy development and wish to be notified can be included on the Council's mailing list at any time^[3].
Website – Each consultation stage will feature prominently on the homepage of the Council's website^[4]. This will link directly to information on document production, providing access to the consultation material and advice on how and when comments can be made.. Articles providing updates on plan production, which may include consultation and engagement opportunities, may be published in the Council's online news section periodically but it will not be solely relied upon as a means of communication.
Libraries and Council reception areas – Subject to Coronavirus restrictions, paper copies of consultation material, including comment forms, will be available at local libraries and Council reception areas in Rayleigh and Rochford during normal opening hours.
Adverts/public notices, and media briefings press releases – Notices will be placed in a local newspaper advertising consultation and engagement opportunities, where appropriate. Media briefings/press releases will also be issued to local media.
Parish and Town Council and Community Group publications – These types of publications are distributed to local residents at least quarterly. The Council will work with relevant organisations to utilise these publications to notify residents of consultation and engagement opportunities, where possible. Consideration will need to be given to the timing of the consultation, and the timing and circulation of any publications outside the Council's control.
Posters – Posters may be sent to relevant Parish and Town Councils to be displayed on notice boards to raise awareness of any public consultation and engagement opportunities. Posters may also be displayed in other appropriate locations across the District.
Leaflets – Leaflets may be used to gain wider public awareness of a consultation or engagement opportunity, for example leaflets may be distributed at key attractors/destinations such as train stations and local schools.
Social media – Media such as Twitter will be used to highlight public consultations on planning policy documents with direct links to the Council's website and information on how to comment, and any engagement events. This will include promoted and targeted posts where appropriate. Such messages will be retweeted periodically throughout the consultation period (@RochfordDC). However, comments will not be accepted via social media.
Events – Such events may include drop-in sessions, public exhibitions and/or targeted workshops. Parish and Town Council meetings will be utilised where possible. The type of event undertaken will be dependent on a number of factors, including the consultation stage, and time and resource constraints. Careful consideration will be given to the timing, venue and format of events to ensure accessibility and inclusivity.

2.4 All consultation materials produced by the Council are prepared in the corporate format (Arial size 12), however, to ensure inclusive access during consultations, information can be made available in alternative formats on request, including larger print, braille, audio tape and different languages.

2.5 Consultation techniques used to notify local communities and other interested stakeholders shall be reviewed for effectiveness to ensure that the correct type of consultation is being implemented. Where necessary a reminder or repeat notification shall be issued to the public and stakeholders to reinforce awareness of the active consultation period.

Implications of Coronavirus pandemic (since March 2020)

2.6 The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic (in line with government regulations) and to ensure maximum safety of both the public and the Council's frontline staff may mean that public engagement events, as detailed above, may not be possible for a temporary period. Depending on restrictions in place at the time of the community engagement opportunity, it may also mean that the placing of hard copies of the consultation documents in council offices and local libraries may be limited. In light of Coronavirus restrictions, the legal requirement to do so has been relaxed until December 2021, however the Council will look to resume this activity sooner if compatible with Coronavirus restrictions in place at the time.

2.7 Updates to the Planning Practice Guidance in March 2020 directly addressed the impacts of Coronavirus on engagement in the planning process. In particular, Paragraph 76 states:

The government has been clear that all members of society are required to adhere to guidance to help combat the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). The guidance has implications for local authorities and local plan-making, including how the public are engaged and the ability of authorities to comply with policies set out in their Statements of Community Involvement. This planning guidance focuses on how local authorities can review and update their Statements of Community Involvement and should be read in parallel with existing guidance on Plan-making, including paragraphs 34, 35 and 71. If there is any conflict, this guidance supersedes current Plan-making guidance until further notice.

2.8 Where any of the policies in the Statement of Community Involvement cannot be complied with due to current guidance to help combat the spread of Coronavirus, local planning authorities are encouraged to undertake a review and update the policies where necessary so that plan-making can continue. This revision of the Statement of Community Involvement has been prepared to support this requirement.

2.9 The Planning Practice Guidance goes on to list a range of engagement activities that could be undertaken to ensure effective community involvement where Coronavirus restrictions are in place.

2.10 In light of ongoing Coronavirus restrictions, the Council will take reasonable steps to adapt its engagement activities to ensure effective community involvement can continue. Where public events would have been held for an engagement opportunity but are unable to lawfully take place, the Council will offer alternative digital events, such as online webinars. The Council will also ensure all consultation material is available online, making best use of digital interactive tools, including spatial mapping where appropriate. Subject to Coronavirus restrictions, the Council may also offer appointment-only or limited capacity public events, provided doing so would be compatible with public health and legal guidance in place at that time.

2.11 For residents without internet access or difficulties accessing online resources, the Council will take reasonable steps to involve these individuals for example, through local representative groups, telephone or in writing and through appointment-only at the Council offices where requested and possible.

Submitting Comments

2.12 The Council operates an online public consultation system where comments may be made straightforwardly against relevant parts of the document being consulted upon. Electronic media, although the most quick and efficient method for submitting comments, is not the only acceptable method. Comments may be submitted during each stage of formal public consultation in the following ways:

Online – using the Council's online public consultation system for planning policy available at https://rochford.oc2.uk/
Email – planning.policy@rochford.gov.uk
Post – Planning Policy, Rochford District Council, Council Offices, South Street, Rochford, Essex. SS4 1BW.

2.13 For less formal public consultations, the Council may utilise a simple webform as an alternative to the online public consultation system.

2.14 The Council cannot take a written record of comments over the telephone as they cannot be verified as a true record of the consultee's opinion. Officers will, however, scribe for people who cannot make comments on their own due to literacy or disability issues.

2.15 Comment forms will normally be provided in paper or Word document format on request. Respondents will be encouraged to use these particularly during the pre-submission stage, as this will assist respondents in structuring their comments around the specific tests (in relation to soundness and legal compliance for the new Local Plan).

2.16 Comments must be made during the prescribed consultation period. Anonymous or confidential comments cannot be accepted. Late comments may be accepted in exceptional circumstances at the Council's discretion but may not be formally logged on the Council's consultation database. Any comments that are offensive, threatening, obscene, racist or illegal in any other way will not be accepted.

2.17 All comments accepted as duly-made will be logged on the Council's online public consultation system and will be available to view at the earliest opportunity.

Consultation Feedback

2.18 A key aspect of community involvement in plan-making is providing feedback on how comments made have been taken into account in the development of a Plan or document. A report will be prepared following each consultation stage setting out the notification and engagement techniques employed, a summary of the main issues raised, officers' response to these issues and information on how these have been taken into account as appropriate. Such reports will be published on the Council's website. Following the final consultation on a Plan or document, the Council will prepare a Consultation Statement setting out which individuals and organisations have been consulted throughout the document's preparation, how they have been consulted, the main issues that were raised and how these issues have been addressed. The Plan or document and Consultation Statement will then be submitted to the Secretary of State, alongside other evidence, for independent examination.

Duty to Co-operate

2.19 The Council is required by the Localism Act 2011 to effectively and constructively engage with relevant partners on strategic cross boundary matters on an ongoing basis – the Duty to Co-operate. This includes neighbouring local authorities and other statutory bodies. Consideration should be given to joint working and the preparation of shared evidence base work.

2.20 The Council is committed to continuing to work in conjunction with relevant partners throughout the plan making process on strategic cross-boundary issues.

New Local Plan – Who, How and When

2.21 The new Local Plan will set out the Council's strategy for future development across the District; specific proposals and the allocation of specific sites to realise this strategy; and development management policies to support these. This document will be prepared in accordance with The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. The timetable for the preparation of the new Local Plan is set out in the Local Development Scheme.

2.22 Opportunities for engagement at each stage of plan preparation are set out in the table below.

Plan Stage	Assessment Stage^[5]	Engagement Opportunities
Evidence Base preparation – ongoing (Regulation 18)
Gathering and reviewing background information. Preparation of technical studies and topic papers.	Collate and review baseline social, economic and environmental data. Draft and publish SA/SEA Scoping Report.	Targeted involvement of organisations and service providers.
		Informal consultation with key stakeholders, such as Parish and Town Councils, relevant interest groups, landowners and developers, as appropriate.
		Formal consultation with Natural England, Heritage England and the Environment Agency on the SEA/SA Scoping Report.
Issues and Options Document^[6]
Draft Plan considering a wide range of topics and issues, and different options to address these.	Initial draft SA/SEA Report – assessing each of the options, including reasonable alternatives, included in draft Plan.	Formal public consultation on the scope and content of the Issues and Options Document for a minimum of six weeks.
		Formal public consultation on initial draft SA/SEA Report alongside Issues and Options Document.
		Consultation and engagement techniques including public notices/adverts, posters, email and letter notifications, website, social media and availability of paper documentation in libraries and Council reception areas. Events including drop-in sessions and public exhibitions may be undertaken.
Spatial Options Document (Regulation 18)
Revised draft Plan setting out spatial options for the distribution of growth and delivery of sustainable communities..	Revised draft SA/SEA Report – assessing each of the preferred options and reasonable alternatives included in revised draft Plan.	Formal public consultation on the scope and content of the Spatial Options Document for a minimum of six weeks.
		Formal public consultation on revised draft SA/SEA Report alongside Spatial Options Document..

		Publicity and engagement techniques including public notices/adverts, posters, email and letter notifications, website and social media. Online engagement events, such as webinars and "Q&As" may be undertaken. In-person drop-in sessions and public exhibitions may be undertaken subject to Coronavirus restrictions.
Preferred Options Document (Regulation 18)
Revised draft Plan setting out preferred options for each topic and reasonable alternatives.	Revised draft SA/SEA Report – assessing each of the preferred options and reasonable alternatives included in revised draft Plan. Draft HRA – screening for likely significant effects on European sites.	Formal public consultation on the scope and content of the Preferred Options Document for a minimum of six weeks.
		Formal public consultation on revised draft SA/SEA Report alongside Preferred Options Document.
		Consultation with Natural England on the scope and content of the HRA.
		Publicity and engagement techniques including public notices/adverts, posters, email and letter notifications, website and social media. Online engagement events, such as webinars and "Q&As" may be undertaken. In-person drop-in sessions and public exhibitions may be undertaken subject to Coronavirus restrictions.
Proposed Pre-Submission Document (Regulation 19)
Comments from previous stage informs final draft Plan – the Proposed Pre-Submission Document. Responses to comments made are contained in a separate Interim Consultation Statement.	Final SA/SEA Report – taking into account comments received at previous stage and any amendments to draft Plan following consultation. Final HRA – reassessing likely significant effects on European sites; undertaking an Appropriate Assessment, as necessary.	Formal public consultation on the Proposed Pre-Submission Document for a minimum of six weeks. At this stage representations must relate to specific tests of soundness and legal compliance to be considered by an Inspector during independent examination. However, anyone may make representations (Regulation 20).
		Formal public consultation on final SA/SEA Report alongside Proposed Pre-Submission Document. Consultation with Natural England on the scope and content of the final HRA. Publicity and engagement techniques including public notices/adverts, posters, email and letter notifications, website, social media and availability of paper documentation in libraries and Council reception areas.
Independent Examination (Regulations 22, 23 and 24)
Submission of Proposed Pre-Submission Document and supporting documents, including SA/SEA Report and Consultation Statement, to Secretary of State for independent examination. Potential for Inspector to recommend modifications to make Plan sound ('Main Modifications' – those matters that materially affect the interpretation of policies in the draft Plan).	Addendum to submitted SA/SEA Report.	Public examination by Planning Inspector, considering all representations received during pre-submission consultation. Hearing sessions, as necessary. Written submissions carry the same weight to those presented at hearings.
	Addendum to submitted SA/SEA Report.	Public consultation on any proposed Main Modifications and, if needed, any addendum to the SA/SEA Report.
Inspector's Report and Adoption (Regulations 25 and 26)
Publication of Inspector's Report, including recommendations of any proposed modifications to the submitted draft Plan. If found sound and legally compliant (subject to modifications), the Council may adopt the Plan. Preparation of Adoption Statement.	Preparation of SA/SEA Adoption Statement.	Six week period for legal challenge following adoption of the Plan.

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule – Who, How and When

2.23 The Community Infrastructure Levy will set a charge per square metre of new floorspace which will be levied on new development across the District, where applicable. The Levy will be prepared in accordance with The Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 (as amended). The timetable for the preparation of the Community Infrastructure Levy is set out in the Local Development Scheme.

2.24 Opportunities for engagement at each stage of document preparation are set out in the table below.

Plan Stage	Assessment Stage	Engagement Opportunities
Evidence Base preparation
Prepare key background documents, including Viability Assessment and Infrastructure Funding Gap Assessment.		Informal targeted engagement with agents and developers in relation to the Viability Assessment.
		Informal engagement with Essex County Council and other service providers in the preparation of the Infrastructure Funding Gap Assessment.
Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule (Regulation 15)
Publication of Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule setting out the proposed charge to be levied. Publication of draft Regulation 123 list detailing proposed infrastructure projects to be funded through S106 Agreements and the Levy.	Draft Viability Assessment.	Formal public consultation on content of Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule for a minimum of four weeks. Publicity and engagement techniques including public notices/adverts, email and letter notifications, website, social media and availability of paper documentation in libraries and Council reception areas.
Draft Charging Schedule (Regulation 16)
Comments from previous stage inform Draft Charging Schedule. Responses to comments made are contained in a separate Consultation Statement.	Viability Assessment – updated, as necessary.	Formal public consultation on content of Draft Charging Schedule for a minimum of four weeks. Publicity and engagement techniques including public notices/adverts, email and letter notifications, website and availability of paper documentation in libraries and Council reception areas.
Independent Examination (Regulations 19 and 20)
Submission of Draft Charging Schedule and supporting documents to the Secretary of State for independent examination.		Public examination by Examiner (usually an Inspector), considering all representations. Hearing sessions, as necessary. Written submissions carry the same weight to those presented at hearings.
Examiner's Report and Publication (Regulations 23 and 25)
Publication of Examiner's Report setting out recommendations and reasons. If approved, the Council may adopt and publish the Charging Schedule.

Supplementary Planning Documents – Who, How and When

2.25 Supplementary Planning Documents are non-statutory documents that give further advice and guidance on the interpretation of policies and proposals set out in Development Plan Documents. These documents will be prepared in accordance with The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. The timetable for the preparation of any Supplementary Planning Documents is set out in the Local Development Scheme.

2.26 Opportunities for engagement at each stage of document preparation are set out in the table below.

Document Stage	Assessment Stage^[7]	Engagement Opportunities
Evidence Base preparation
Gathering and reviewing baseline information. Preparation of technical studies, as necessary.	Screening to determine whether a SA/SEA is required. Draft and publish SA/SEA Scoping Report, if necessary.	Informal targeted involvement of organisations and service providers. Informal consultation with key stakeholders, such as Parish Councils, Schools, relevant interest groups, landowners and developers. Formal consultation with Essex Highways, Hospital Trusts, Doctors Practises, Utilities, Natural England, Heritage England and the Environment Agency on the SEA/SA Scoping Report, if necessary.
Draft Supplementary Planning Document (Regulation 13)
Draft document setting out preferred options.	Draft SA/SEA Report – if required in exceptional circumstances.	Formal public consultation on the scope and content of the Draft Supplementary Planning Document for a minimum of six weeks. Formal public consultation on initial draft SEA/SA Report alongside draft document – if required. Publicity and engagement techniques including public notices/adverts, email and letter notifications, website, social media and availability of paper documentation in libraries and Council reception areas. Events / Exhibitions may be undertaken, as appropriate.
Adopt Supplementary Planning Document (Regulations 12 and 14)
Publication of final document taking account of consultation responses.	Publication of SA/S\EA Report (if required, in exceptional circumstances).

Neighbourhood Planning

2.27 Neighbourhood planning was introduced by the Localism Act in 2011 and gives local communities new powers to take decisions to help shape and drive the development that takes place in their area. There are three main types of neighbourhood planning available to communities:

Neighbourhood Plan – A neighbourhood plan is a statutory planning document that sets planning policies for a defined neighbourhood area. A neighbourhood plan can allocate land for development, including new homes and employment, as well as setting policies on design and uses. Once adopted, a neighbourhood plan will form part of the Council's local development plan, against which all planning applications and proposals will be determined.
Neighbourhood Development Order – A neighbourhood development order allows communities to grant planning permission for specific types of development their area.
Community Right to Build Order – A community right to build order is a form of a neighbourhood development order which allows communities to grant planning permission for local small-scale developments that would be of community benefit.

2.28 Whilst the Local Plan usually sets policies that apply to the authority area as a whole, neighbourhood plans typically set policies that will only apply to a smaller 'neighbourhood area'. In practice, these neighbourhood areas often align with parish boundaries.

2.29 Neighbourhood planning is community-led, as opposed to being led strictly by the Council as local planning authority. Neighbourhood plans and development orders can only be prepared by a defined 'neighbourhood forum' whilst community right to build orders can be prepared by any community organisation with 10 or more members resident in the area. Whilst a neighbourhood forum will often be a Parish or Town Council, they may also be led by other community groups, and crucially should be open and accessible to all in the local community.

2.30 Neighbourhood plans and orders must accord with both the Council's local development plan and national planning policy. They must also acknowledge and take account of International, European and national designations and laws (including historic and environmental designations, and human rights laws). A neighbourhood plan or development order can propose additional development to what is set out in the Council's local development plan but cannot propose less or seek to block development that has already been approved.

2.31 The procedural requirements governing neighbourhood planning – including consultation and engagement requirements – are set out in the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012, as amended. Where the SCI is silent, or amendments are made to these regulations that make the SCI non-compliant, the regulations will take precedence.

2.32 The main stages in neighbourhood planning are set out below:

Step 1: Designating the neighbourhood area and, if appropriate, neighbourhood forum
Step 2: Preparing a draft neighbourhood plan or Order
Step 3: Pre-submission publicity and consultation
Step 4: Submission of a neighbourhood plan or Order proposal to a local planning authority
Step 5: Independent Examination
Step 6: Community Referendum
Step 7: Bringing the neighbourhood plan or Order into force

2.33 The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) places a statutory responsibility on the Council as local planning authority to assist communities in its area in the preparation of neighbourhood plans and orders. The Council is also expected to assist in the management of the examination and referendum stages of neighbourhood planning, where applicable.

2.34 The principle of neighbourhood planning is that it should primarily be led and shaped by the local community. For this reason, the Council does not directly oversee or manage the neighbourhood planning process. Instead, the Council will support neighbourhood planning in the following ways:

Providing advice and guidance to relevant bodies, as necessary. This includes aiding in understanding the procedural and regulatory requirements of neighbourhood planning.
Directing relevant bodies towards information and resources relevant to neighbourhood planning, and any organisations or funding sources which may be able to offer direct or indirect assistance.
Attending meetings on occasion to provide updates on local, regional and national plan-making, and highlighting the potential implications on neighbourhood planning.
Making relevant information and evidence available to the relevant body for their consideration and aiding in its interpretation.
Reviewing documents and drafts and offering feedback, including on potential issues around accordance with the local development plan and national planning policy.
Fulfilling the Council's obligations to consult, as set out in the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2012, as amended; and
Making arrangements and managing the examination and referendum processes.

2.35 The primary community engagement supporting the preparation of a neighbourhood plan, neighbourhood development order or community right to build order should be carried out by the relevant neighbourhood forum or community organisation. The Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2012, as amended, set out the detailed engagement requirements that relevant bodies will be expected to fulfil as they prepare a neighbourhood plan or order. A statement will accompany any draft neighbourhood plan indicating what consultation took place and how it has informed the preparation of the plan.

2.36 The Council will ensure that statutory consultees are engaged in the preparation of neighbourhood plans at the appropriate stages

2.37 The Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2012, as amended, do, however, also define specific consultation requirements that the Council is expected to undertake at key stages.

2.38 These key stages, and the consultation that the Council will undertake at these stages, are set out in the table below:

Plan Stage	Engagement Opportunities
Neighbourhood Area designation consultation	The Council is required to hold a public consultation on any area application it receives. The date by which representations must be received will be no less than six weeks from the date the consultation commences. The area application, details on how to make representations, and the date by which representations must be received will all be publicised on the Council's website and in all consultation and engagement material. Consultation and engagement techniques may include public notices/adverts, posters, email and letter notifications, social media and availability of paper documentation in libraries and Council reception areas. As soon as possible after designating a neighbourhood area, the Council will publicise on its website, and any other mediums deemed appropriate, information including the name of the neighbourhood area, a map which identifies the area, and the name of the relevant body who applied for the designated. Where an application is refused, the Council will instead publicise the reasons for that decision.
Neighbourhood Forum designation consultation	The Council is required to hold a public consultation on any forum application it receives. The date by which representations must be received will be no less than six weeks from the date the consultation commences. The forum application, details on how to make representations, and the date by which representations must be received will all be publicised on the Council's website and in all consultation and engagement material. Consultation and engagement techniques may include public notices/adverts, posters, email and letter notifications, social media and availability of paper documentation in libraries and Council reception areas. As soon as possible after designating a neighbourhood forum, the Council will publicise on its website, and any other mediums deemed appropriate, the name of the neighbourhood forum, a copy of the written constitution of the forum, and the name of a contact and neighbourhood area to whom the forum relates. Where an application is refused, the Council will instead publicise the reasons for that decision.
Neighbourhood Plan or Order proposal or modification proposal	The Council is required to hold a public consultation on any proposed neighbourhood plan or order, or proposed modification to a plan or order that it receives. The date by which representations must be received will be no less than six weeks from the date the consultation commences. Details of the proposal, how to inspect the proposal, details of how to make representations and the date by which those representations must be received will be publicised on the Council's website and in all consultation and engagement material. Consultation and engagement techniques may include public notices/adverts, posters, email and letter notifications, website, social media and availability of paper documentation in libraries and Council reception areas. In the case where an order proposal triggers the requirements of Regulation 33 of the EIA Regulations, the Council will also place details of the proposal on a site notice on or near the land in question, and a notice in a newspaper circulating in the locality. As soon as possible after making a decision under Regulations 18 or 25 of the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2015, the Council will publish its decision statement and the examiner's report, including details of where that statement can be inspected, on its website and by any other mediums deemed appropriate.
Community Referendum	The Council will organise a referendum on any plan that has been considered at examination to meet the basic standards. People living the neighbourhood area who are registered to vote in local elections will be entitled to vote in this referendum. The Council will organise and publicise the referendum as it would for any local election.
Decision to make, or refuse to make, a neighbourhood plan or order	The Council will publicise its decision statement, the made neighbourhood plan or order (if applicable), and details of how to inspect both documents on its website and through any other medium deemed appropriate. This information may be publicised by email and letter notifications, social media and availability of paper documentation in libraries and Council reception areas. The Council will directly contact the relevant body and any other individuals who asked to be notified of the making of the neighbourhood plan or order, as required by the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2012, as amended.
Modifications to or revocation of a neighbourhood plan or order	The Council will publish a statement setting out the reasons for modifications or revocations, and details of how to inspect this statement, on its website and through any other medium deemed appropriate. This information may be publicised by email and letter notifications, social media and availability of paper documentation in libraries and Council reception areas. The Council will directly contact the relevant body and any other individuals who asked to be notified of the making of the neighbourhood plan or order, as required by the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2012, as amended.

Minerals and Waste Local Plans

2.39 The preparation and review of Minerals and Waste Local Plans is the responsibility of Essex County Council. The District Council is, and will continue to be, a consultee on such plans. The progress of the County Council's Minerals and Waste Local Plans and their Statement of Community Involvement can be found on the County Council's website^[8].

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