Great Shelford Parish Council considered this document recently and have the following comments:
• Councillors feel that to really engage with people there should always be an executive summary at the beginning of the document to demonstrate the changes which have been made.
• The document talks about ‘how I can get involved’ but does not talk about the process including statutory consultees such as parish councils and how residents can make a representation to their parish council, prior to applications coming to the planning authority. The lack of information about parish council role seems to show the lack of recognition about the role that they play
• Councillors are disappointed to see that the drop ins/roadshows were launched so close to the beginning of the consultation, therefore very little notice provided for people who may have been interested in attending. In addition, both were located to the north of the city and nothing really convenient to those parishes more southerly in the district (south of A14).
• It has been noted that more recent site notices have QR codes directing people to the planning authority’s website. This concerns councillors that this is making them less accessible to residents who do not have smart phones.