Statement of Publicity and Consultation |
Introduction |
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1. |
This statement describes the measures taken by the Peak District National Park
Authority and its forerunner the Peak Park Joint Planning Board to publicise,
and invite comment upon, the Local Plan for the Peak National Park, and
the consultations that have been undertaken. It is published under the
provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Development Plan) (England)
Regulations 1999. |
2. |
Work on the Local Plan began in 1994 following completion
of the Structure Plan. It was finally completed and adopted in 2001. In
accordance with the Regulations, there was full public consultation at
4 stages: the Framework Document, the Draft Plan, the Deposit Draft Plan,
and on Modifications and Direction. |
3. |
At each stage: |
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copies were placed on deposit in 4 locations (Bakewell, Glossop, Leek and Macclesfield); |
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formal Notices were placed in 9 local newspapers serving
the National Park and surrounding areas, and in the London Gazette; |
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approximately 300 copies of the documents were sent to
statutory consultees and close partners, including local authorities and
parish councils in and around the Park, Rural Community Councils, land
and conservation interest groups, sport and recreation interest groups,
privatised and public bodies, Government departments and statutory undertakers,
disability groups, interest groups concerned with tourism, transport,
commercial and employment issues, housing and mineral extraction, together
with the other 10 National Park Authorities and the 10 Members of Parliament
with constituencies wholly or partially within the Park; |
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letters and copies of the Notice were sent to all those
who had previously expressed a written interest in the Plan; |
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copies of the documents were placed in 41 public libraries
in and around the Park; |
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each response was separated into specific comments on
paragraphs and policies in the Plan, was summarised and logged onto a
computer database. Each comment received individual consideration, and
was taken into account in modifying the Plan. The reaction to each comment
was summarised on the log, and alterations to the text noted; |
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the main issues arising from the consultation process
were reported to the Authority or former Board, together with the action
taken; |
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all objectors received a full reply to their concerns.
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The Framework Document |
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4. |
The Framework Document was published for public consultation in June 1995 for
a period of 8 weeks. In practice, responses were received and recorded
for a further 2 months. |
5. |
A summary leaflet was distributed by post to virtually every address
within and around the edge of the Park. Leaflets were also widely distributed
with all publicity and handed out at public meetings. In total, over 32,000
leaflets were distributed. Press releases were issued and contact made
with the local press. 91 copies of the Framework Document were sold to
members of the public on request. |
6. |
Local Plan events were held in 8 locations (Bradfield, Warslow, Youlgreave,
Tintwistle, Kettleshulme, Parwich, Bamford and Baslow) during June and
July 1995, so that the public could speak informally to Members and officers
about the Local Plan subjects and procedure. Approximately 400 people
attended the meetings, which were publicised via the summary leaflet,
press releases and through Parish Councils who were each sent a publicity
pack. |
7. |
About 600 individual comments were received from over 100 respondents.
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The Draft Plan |
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8. |
The Draft Proposals Map was available for public consultation from May to July
1996. Again, approximately 32,000 summary leaflets were distributed by
post to addresses in the Park. 61 copies of the Draft Map were sold to
people who expressed interest. |
9. |
10 public exhibitions were held in locations throughout the National
Park (Kettleshulme, Bradfield, Warslow, Waterhouses, Baslow, Holme, Bakewell,
Youlgreave, Parwich and Bamford). Members and officers were available
to talk about the Draft Proposals Map and the process of its development
and adoption. More than 640 people attended these meetings. The bulk of
comments regarded the clarity, scale and graphical representation of the
Map rather than the principles and extent of policy coverage. |
10. |
The Draft Local Plan text was distributed for pre-deposit consultation
to Parish Councils, Districts, Counties and other interested parties in
June-July 1996. Approximately 200 copies were sold to the public and professional
agents. |
11. |
72 points were raised concerning the Draft Proposals Map, by 20 respondents.
Over 1,500 individual comments were received from over 250 respondents
in consultation on the Draft Local Plan text. |
12. |
Traffic and transport issues were of significant local concern in the Hope Valley. Castleton Parish Council arranged an additional public meeting which officers attended to answer local concerns. An explanatory letter was sent to all addresses in the Hope Valley, Edale and Bradwell areas.
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The Deposit Local Plan |
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13. |
The former Board placed its preferred Plan
on deposit in March 1997 for a period of 6 weeks. In total almost 600
objections were received covering over 800 individual points, together
with 150 supporting representations. |
14. |
Where representations were not clear, enquiries were made
to seek clarity. Some were general expressions of dissatisfaction rather
than about the Plan itself, and the new Authority (from April 1997) did
not treat these as objections to the Plan. The full summary of representations
was placed with the deposit material. |
15. |
Before the Local Plan Inquiry, the Authority proposed
changes to the Plan in relation to a number of objections. These were
placed on deposit at the end of October 1997, formally advertised, and
a 6 week period was allowed for response. They attracted 47 additional
comments that were considered by the Inspector. |
16. |
The Local Plan Inquiry took place between 3 February and
23 April 1998. The Report of the Inspector, Mr M. Bingley, was received
by the Authority at the end of September 1998. In this he considered all
submissions and evidence to reach his conclusions, and gave reasons for
his recommendations. |
17. |
After considering the Inspector's Report, the Authority decided whether to accept or reject each of his recommendations. Only 14 out of 300 recommendations were rejected.
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Modifications and further modifications |
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18. |
In accordance with the regulations, the Authority prepared a statement of decisions
on each of the Inspector's recommendations (with reasons), proposed modifications,
and a list of recommendations not accepted by the Authority. These were
placed on deposit in August 1999 for a 6-week consultation period, together
with a complete modified text. |
19. |
61 objections were received about these first modifications.
In response, further modifications were proposed by the Authority and
placed on deposit in May 2000. A further 22 objections and 12 representations
of support were received. After full consideration, the Authority decided
not to make any further modifications. |
20. |
In August 2000 a Direction was received from the Secretary
of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, requiring changes
to be made to policies for conserving and managing the Natural Zone and
for the disposal of waste by landfill at new sites. In November 2000,
the Authority placed further modifications on deposit to meet these requirements.
Two objections were received, but following negotiation, these issues
were resolved. |
21. |
The Authority adopted the Local Plan and it became effective on 30 March 2001.
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List of consulteesLocal Authorities |
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Derbyshire County Council |
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Parish and Community Councils (All Parish Councils and Meetings whose areas lie partly or
wholly within the Park (115)) |
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Rural Community Councils: Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Staffordshire,
Cheshire Parish Council Associations: Macclesfield, Staffordshire Moorlands,
Staffordshire |
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Land and conservation interests |
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National Farmers' Union |
Sport and recreation interests |
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Greater Manchester Countryside Unit |
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Privatised and Public Bodies, Government Departments and Statutory Undertakers |
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Government Office (Environment, Transport, Trade &
Industry): East Midlands, West Midlands, North West, Yorkshire and Humberside |
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Disabled persons' groups |
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Derbyshire Centre for Integrated Living |
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Tourism and accommodation interests |
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Caravan Club |
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Commerce and employment interests |
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Training & Enterprise Councils: Stockport & High
Peak, Staffordshire, North Derbyshire, South Derbyshire, South & East
Cheshire, Calderdale & Kirklees, Sheffield, Oldham |
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Housing interests |
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House Builders Federation: Midlands, North West, Yorkshire
and Humberside |
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National Park Authorities (10) |
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Members of Parliament (10) |
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Members of European Parliament (6; from deposit stage) |
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Professional bodies |
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RIBA |
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Individuals |
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Contact has been maintained with all those who expressed a keen interest in the Local Plan. |
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