Explanatory note

Section 4 of the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 places a statutory duty a council to prepare a statement of community involvement (SCI).

The SCI is a statement a council’s policy for involving anyone with an interest in matters relating to development in its district or in its local development plan and planning control functions.

These Regulations prescribe the form and content of the SCI to be prepared by a council and the procedure for its preparation and agreement by the Department. The Regulations also make provision that allow a council to carry out a discretionary public consultation on the SCI if it so wishes.

The Regulations also prescribe the publicity and availability requirements once the SCI has been agreed.

A Regulatory Impact Assessment has been prepared in respect of these Regulations. Copies may be viewed at www.planningni.gov.uk or alternatively, hard copies may be requested from Planning Policy Division, Causeway Exchange, Town Parks, 1–7 Bedford Street, Belfast BT2 7EG.