Masterplan Consent Area Regulations: consultation responses summary

Question 18

Question 18A) To what extent do you agree with the approach not to prescribe forms of notices within the Draft Regulations?

Responses to Question 18A are set out by respondent type in Table 17 below.

A total of 52 respondents answered this question, which covered the proposed approach not to prescribe forms of notices within the Draft Regulations. It attracted a range of responses, 44.2% answering strongly agreed or agreed, 30.8% disagreed or strongly disagreed and 25% remained neutral. There were similar levels of responses disagreeing (circa 26.3%-33.3%) from Community and Individuals, the Development, Property & Land Management sector and Agents, Planning Authorities and the Third Sector.

Question 18B) Please explain your view.

42 respondents provided further comment at Question 18B

Summary /Themes

Responses were divided on the proposed approach to not prescribe forms of notices within regulations. The respondents who were supportive commented that this is consistent with the approach for other planning processes and will allow for flexibility in preparing notices at a planning authority level.

11 responses, consisting of two Development, Property & Land Management sector & Agent, eight Planning Authorities and one Third Sector respondent, agreed that templates or examples of forms be included within guidance.

12 responses disagreed with the approach to not prescribe forms in regulations, these consisted of three Community and Individuals, four Development, Property & Land Management sector & Agents, four Planning Authorities and one Third Sector respondent. Their comments reflected their view that including prescribed forms within regulations would be beneficial for ensuring consistency and avoiding potential omissions. Two Planning Authorities also thought that use of standard forms or templates would help reduce their risk of any legal challenge.