Statement of Community Involvement 2025 Consultation

1. What is the Statement of Community Involvement Comment

1.1. Many people only get involved with the planning system when they want to make changes to their home, or when they want to comment on a proposal or a planning application about which they have concerns. In fact, the planning system touches all our lives, and it is by getting involved in shaping Local Plans and Development Management that you can have the biggest influence on the future of your town. Planning policy sets out the framework for judging whether development is acceptable or not.

1.2. The future of Hastings belongs to all of us, and we have a shared responsibility to make sure that our planning policies allow us to protect and preserve while also letting us revitalise and regenerate.

1.3. The planning system contains several opportunities to help ensure people are offered the opportunity to get involved and have a greater say in how development happens in their local area. It is through this document, the Statement of Community Involvement, that the council sets out how it will promote the involvement of local communities and other interested parties in the planning process.

1.4. A Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) sets out how and when communities and other interested parties can be engaged in the planning process in relation to:

• Planning Policy which includes the preparation of policy documents including the new emerging borough-wide local plan.
• Development Management which includes the determination of planning applications, and
• The support the council will give in the preparation of Neighbourhood Planning document.

1.5. The SCI explains the various forms of engagement and what we mean by 'informing,' 'seeking views' and 'inviting participation and the range of techniques which can be used.

1.6. The planning system continues to see many changes and we are working hard to make sure everyone can be part of shaping the future of Hastings.

1.7. The SCI has to be reviewed every five years. This is an opportunity to take account of new guidance and information which may have emerged since the last SCI was produced, and importantly include change to engagement methods and practices including the availability of new digital tools designed to improve consultation and engagement in planning.

1.8. When approved this SCI will be Version 6, replacing the previous Version 5 approved in 2020.

1.9. A glossary of terms can be found at the end of this document.