Community

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To ensure that the development supports a vibrant, diverse and inclusive community which integrates with surrounding communities.

Read the background on Community

Question 3.1

Objective

To promote community involvement in the design of the development to ensure their needs, ideas and knowledge are taken into account to improve the quality and acceptability of the development.

Importance: Importance

Question

Has the community been actively involved in the development proposal:

  1. Local community stakeholders have been told about the proposal (e.g. public notices and adverts) so that they can comment to the Planning Authority
  2. Local community stakeholders have been consulted for opinions on a pre-prepared scheme (e.g. leaflets and return forms)
  3. Local community stakeholders have been asked to select their preferred option from a range of schemes and their preferred proposal has been put forward (e.g. through remote surveys or through a public meeting)
  4. Local community stakeholders have been involved in the preparation of this proposal (e.g. through workshops or participative processes)
  5. Local community stakeholders produced the guidelines for the development of this proposal (e.g. Village Design Statements, Place Check, Charrettes)

Targets and Justification

Best
E
Good
C or D
Minimum
See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to Medium and Large developments.

Question 3.2

Objective

To encourage sustainable lifestyles and help integration into the local community.

Importance: ImportanceImportance

Question

Will a pack be provided to each dwelling containing information on:

  • Energy efficiency – including measures incorporated into the development and/or dwelling
  • Water efficiency information pack
  • Recycling facilities
  • Utility suppliers
  • Refuse collection
  • Local transport services
  • Local organisations and community groups
  • Environmental technologies installed in the development and dwelling
  • Local amenities

Targets and Justification

Best
As good practice but includes information on services provided by other organisations
Good
Pack provided covering energy efficiency, water efficiency and recycling facilities PLUS elements under developer control
Minimum
See relevant local planning authority standard

Applies to Developments

This question applies to Medium and Large developments.

Question 3.3

Objective

To create an inclusive community.

Importance: ImportanceImportance

Question

Will the development be designed for improved accessibility for mobility impaired people?

Targets and Justification

Best
An Inclusive Design Strategy is produced from the onset which directly adheres to English Partnerships guidance on Inclusive Design and follows the process outlined by the Inclusive Design Checklist flowchart in the technical appendix of the document
Good
An inclusive Design Strategy is produced from the onset of the development, incorporating inclusive design principles and the appointment of an inclusive design champion
Minimum
See relevant local planning authority standard

Applies to Developments

This question applies to Medium and Large developments.

Question 3.4

Objective

To ensure that community facilities are maintained and community has sense of ownership.

Importance: ImportanceImportance

Question

Does the development have provision for community management of facilities, open space, SUDS, rain water schemes etc?

Targets and Justification

Best
Management structure in place as part of a formal Community Development Trust (CDT) or management company for the development
Good
Yes, with support sources identified to help in initial stages (local authority, community group, charity etc)
Minimum
See relevant local planning authority standard

Applies to Developments

This question applies to Medium and Large developments.

Development sizes

The checklist has been split into three different versions for different sizes of development:

Small
Up to 10 buildings
(up to 1000m²/0.5ha)
Medium
11 - 199 buildings
(up to 20000m²/10ha)
Large
200 - 5,999 dwellings
(over 20000m²/10ha)

If the development is for more than 6,000 houses, we recommend a bespoke checklist should be produced by the developer and local authority.

The set of questions for smaller developments is contained within the set of questions for larger developments.