Before the developer can submit their application, they must consult the community, normally involving multiple rounds of consultations as decisions are made about the project. Communication on these could be through local newspapers, websites and notifications to statutory consultees. Any materials should include information on how to respond to consultations, with contact details to do so.
The Planning Inspectorate's website contains a record of all NSIP proposals. Once a project is listed here you can also sign up for email updates on its progress. At each stage of the process, there are different ways you can get involved.
How this differs at each stage:
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Pre-application: contact applicant to find out more information about the project and its potential impact on the local area, respond to statutory and non-statutory consultations, attend meetings or events organised by the applicant.
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Acceptance: members of the public are not involved in this stage.
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Pre-examination: members of the public need to fill out a form to make relevant representation before the deadline to register as an interested party.
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Examination: interested parties can answer Examining Authority's questions, respond to comments or information, submit additional comments to their relevant representation if required.
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Recommendation: members of the public are not involved in this stage.
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Decision: members of the public are not involved in this stage, but interested parties may be invited to respond to consultations by the Secretary of State.
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Post-decision: anyone can challenge the way the decision has been made.
If you would like to comment on an NSIP in the area, please do this via the applicant or the Planning Inspectorate directly. Please visit the Planning Inspectorate's website for more information on how you can get involved.
Advice for town and parish councils
Town and parish councils affected by an NSIP do not have the same role in the process as the local planning authority.
Individual councillors, however, can help with community engagement and can raise local issues with officers. Town and parish councillors can also comment on an NSIP by registering as an Interested Party. These comments can be made as an individual or on behalf of the council, but it is important to note which capacity the comments are being made in.
The stages in the NSIP process where improvements can be best achieved is during the pre-application and examination stages. This means that any comments, either in support or against the proposals, should be made in these stages so that any suggestions can be considered. If the NSIP has been granted development consent, there are not normally opportunities for the town or parish council to influence the approved scheme.
If the town and parish council have not engaged in the NSIP process at these stages, they may have missed the opportunity to influence any changes or highlight additional mitigation of the scheme's impact. The list below outlines different ways town and parish councils can get involved throughout the NSIP process.
It is helpful for town and parish councils to keep Huntingdonshire District Council up to date with any support or concerns with the NSIPs in their area.
How can Town and Parish Councils can get involved:
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Work out town or parish council stance and the ways in which the NSIP can be improved.
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Engage with consultation.
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Register as Interested Party by submitting a Relevant Representation.
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Attend Preliminary meeting to prepare for the examination.
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Submit Written Representations at deadlines.
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Engage with relevant Issue Specific Hearings and answer relevant Examining Authority's questions you may be asked.
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Keep Huntingdonshire District Council up to date with any support or concerns with NSIPs in your area.