Touch Point 3 Identify the roles and inputs of planning and infrastructure stakeholders |
Action required: • Meet with key stakeholders at an early stage to exchange and disseminate information. • Liaise with local authority officers to draw upon existing knowledge and expertise relevant to the site, the EIA and submission of the application. |
Identifying the roles and inputs of both planning and infrastructure stakeholders early on in the process can provide constructive engagement with the planning process and reduce the opportunities for delay in determining applications. As soon as a site is identified as a potential site for development, key stakeholders should be informed and invited to a meeting to establish what the issues would be of developing such a site. For major development the meeting should include, as appropriate, officers from the EA, officers from the local district/borough councils, Natural England8, English Heritage, planning officers, county ecologists, archaeologists and other relevant bodies to cover any necessary aspects of the site development proposal9. Such a group would also be involved in any scoping requirements in preparing an EIA.
The following table identifies key stakeholders and their involvement with the planning process.
Stakeholder | Stages of involvement |
Environment Agency | Pre-application discussions, scoping EIA, statutory consultee for application. |
Natural England | Pre-application discussions, scoping EIA, statutory consultee for application. |
English Heritage | Pre-application discussions, scoping EIA, statutory consultee for application. |
Other Government Departments and Agencies: DEFRA, Government Office, the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, Regional Assembly, Regional Development Agency, Strategic Health Authority, Network Rail, Highways Agency. | Pre-application discussions, scoping EIA, statutory consultee for application where appropriate. |
A range of Heritage stakeholders to be involved on a case-by-case basis, e.g., Ancient Monuments Society, Garden History Society, The National Trust. | Pre-application discussions, scoping EIA, statutory consultee for application as appropriate. |
County Wildlife Trust | Pre-application discussions, scoping EIA, consultee for application. |
A range of Nature Conservation stakeholders to be involved on a case-by-case basis, e.g., Urban Wildlife Groups, British Geological Society, other local wildlife groups | Pre-application discussions, scoping EIA, consultee for application. |
District/Borough Councils within the County or adjoining (if appropriate) | Pre-applications discussions if appropriate (may be landowners), statutory consultee. |
Parish/Town Councils | Statutory consultee for the application |
Water Utility Companies | Statutory consultee for the application |
Other Environmental interests such as Forestry Commission, British Waterways, Internal Drainage Boards, Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, Sport England, Community Interest Groups | May be statutory consultee depending on location of proposal. |
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8 Natural England was formed on 1st October, 2006 and brought together English Nature, the Countryside Agency and elements of the Rural Development Service.
9 In London, the GLA, particularly if the application falls within the thresholds for potential determination by the Mayor after commencement of the GLA Act 2007 (the Bill is currently being considered by Parliament but it is expected to receive the royal assent later this year).