Statement of Community Involvement

Sets out how we'll involve the community and other interested people and organisations in the preparation of planning policy documents and planning applications.

Temporary amendments to the SCI in response to COVID-19

We're committed to publicising and consulting widely on all planning proposals. Find more information, in our statement of community involvement.

'Consultation under COVID-19: Updated National Planning Practice Guidance' was published on 13 May 2020 to provide guidance on how local planning authorities should respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in progressing plans and associated consultations.

The guidance sets out how local authorities can review and update their statements of community involvement (SCI) to take into account the government requirements on physical distancing restrictions when consulting on their plans.

Where necessary, temporary amendments to SCIs should therefore be made, in accordance with the guidance, to allow plan making to progress. Consequently, we have published an addendum to the SCI.

Update January 2022 – changes to the temporary amendments of the SCI have been updated to reflect current working arrangements and the opening hours of services. This guidance will be reviewed in due course with the relaxation of restrictions.   

Find the Statement of Community Involvement temporary addendum 2020.

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) (adopted March 2015)

The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) sets out how and when the Council will involve the community and other interested people and organisations ('stakeholders') in the preparation of its planning policy documents, and also in the consideration of planning applications in Brighton & hove. The SCI was adopted by the Council on 12 March 2015. 

The SCI has been updated to reflect changes that have occurred in the Planning system since the last version was adopted in 2006. The document reflects the council commitment to effective consultation and follows the principles set out in the council’s Community Engagement Framework.

An up to date revised SCI provides clarity on how engagement will be undertaken with partners, communities and individuals.

The Council consulted on the updated draft revised Statement of Community Involvement SCI between 12 November 2014 and 16 January 2015. The results of the public consultation were taken into account in finalising the document and can be viewed in the council's 12 March 2015 committee report. 

The council's former 2006 version of the SCI is available for download