Statement of Community Involvement

The North Shropshire Statement of Community Involvement was formally adopted on 27th June 2007.

The adopted Statement of Community Involvement and accompanying Inspector's Report can be viewed and/or obtained from the Council's Customer Services Centre at New Street, Wem (telephone 01939 232771) and can be downloaded from this website by clicking here.  Copies are available for inspection during normal opening hours at:

• North Shropshire District Council, Edinburgh House, New Street, Wem;
• Wem Library, Talbot House, High Street, Wem;
• Ellesmere Infolink, Wharf Road, Ellesmere; 
• Ellesmere Library, Scotland Street, Ellesmere;
• Shropshire Customer First and Visitor Information Centre, Cheshire Street, Market Drayton;
• Market Drayton Library, Cheshire Street, Market Drayton;
• Whitchurch Library, High Street, Whitchurch;
• Shawbury Library, Parish Hall, Church Road, Shawbury

What is the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)?

The District Council is committed to involving stakeholders and the community in decisions on the future development of North Shropshire. The Statement of Community Involvement reflects this committment and sets out the District Council's policies for public involvement in the planning system, including planning applications and the preparation of the Local Development Framework.

What public involvement has there been in producing the SCI?

A draft version of the Statement, a summary booklet and a Consultation Statement (which summarises the preliminary consultation that took place in September 2005 and informed the preparation of the Draft Statement of Community Involvement) were published on 1st February 2006. The six-week public consultation period which followed incorporated two public information events and invited comments on the Draft Statement. This consultation period finished on 14th March 2006.

The 100 responses received during the consultation period were considered and fed into the process of reviewing the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) and producing a revised Consultation Statement. The Council's Cabinet considered the responses received, together with proposed changes to the SCI, on the 24th October 2006 and gave approval for amendments to the SCI and a revised Consultation Statement, prior to submission to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and further public engagement. The report can be viewed by following the 'Quick Link' on the Home Page to 'Agendas and Minutes'.

The North Shropshire SCI and the accompanying statements of the consultation carried out in its preparation were submitted to the Secretary of State on 30 November 2006.

The revised SCI was then published for a six-week consultation period running from Tuesday 30 January to Monday 12 March 2007. This gave a further opportunity to submit representations on any unresolved matters regarding the SCI before an independent examination by a Planning Inspector.

Examination of the Submission SCI

During the Submission SCI consultation period (30 January - 12 March 2007) 31 representations were made, which were considered by the Planning Inspector at the examination of the SCI. The representations can be viewed by clicking here.

The Inspector checked that the document had been legally prepared, and its 'soundness' according to the nine 'Tests of Soundness' which are summarised below:

• compliance with the minimum requirements for consultation in the regulations
• linkage with the community strategy and other community involvement initiatives
• identification of the local community groups and other bodies to be consulted
• identification of how the community will be involved
• methods of consultation suitable for the intended audience and for the different stages in the preparation of planning policy
• resources available to manage effectively
• the results of community involvement will be fed into the preparation of planning policy
• mechanisms for review
• clear description of the policy for consultation on planning applications

In accordance with this framework, the Inspector produced a report, dated 15 May 2007.  In this report, the Inspector found the SCI sound, subject to the implementation of the recommendations set out. This report can be viewed by clicking on the link below Document Availability.

Document availability

• Adopted North Shropshire Statement of Community Involvement (June 2007)
• Adoption Statement (June 2007)

The submission SCI documents can be viewed and downloaded by following the relevant links below:

• Inspector's Report (May 2007)
• Submission Statement of Community Involvement
• Submission SCI (cover and appendix 9)
• Consultation Statement (Submission Stage) 
• Submission public notice

If required, the draft stage documents are also available to download by following these links:

• Draft Statement of Community Involvement (February 2006)
• Draft Statement of Community Involvement Summary Booklet
• Consultation Statement (Draft SCI stage)

Contact us

If further information or updates are required, please contact the Development Strategy team: