July 2005

Merton Liberal Democrats are calling for greater recognition of the role local residents' associations and community groups play in involving the public in planning decisions.

Following recent changes in the law, Merton Council is currently consulting on a draft 'Statement of Community Involvement'. This details how the Council will engage the local community in planning issues, including developing planning policies and deciding planning applications.

Proposals submitted by Merton Liberal Democrats push for additional requirements to notify relevant residents' associations and community groups when certain types of planning applications are made, enabling them to make representations. The current draft only requires residents' associations to be notified where Listed Buildings or the character and appearance of Conservation Areas are affected, but not when planning applications relate to "major developments" or to the placing of telecommulications masts and other equipment.

Dundonald Liberal Democrat Anthony Fairclough said: "Responding to major planning applications can be highly complicated, technical and legalistic. Realistically it is often only residents' associations and community groups that have the expertise and resources to fully involve local communities in making effective representations to the authorities.

"This is especially the case with highly controversial cases, such as applications for telecommunications masts. The current plans to display notices and to contact neighbouring residents by letter simply don't go far enough in assisting locals to have a greater say in the planning system.

"Merton Liberal Democrats want decision-making introduced at the lowest level possible, to better respond to the needs and wishes of the borough's residents - this is why we're calling for residents' associations and community groups to be given a more formal role in these aspects of the planning process."

Consultations on the draft Statement of Community Involvement must be submitted by 15 July 2005. Merton Council will then submit a further version for consultation in the Autumn, and the policy will be subject to independent examination before it can be adopted.

-------------------
NOTES

For more information on the Draft Statement of Community Involvement, click here.
Similar provision to Merton Liberal Democrats proposals' are made in appendix 2 to the Draft Statement of Community Involvement of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, click here.