LOCAL people are to be given a chance to have their say on how they are consulted on future planning documents.

Mid Devon District Council is reviewing its Statement of Community Involvement, to ensure the most effective methods of involving the community in the planning process are considered.

At the same time, the council has prepared a new Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), “Refuse storage for new residential properties” which will include guidance on the design of waste and recycling storage for all types of properties in Mid Devon.

The council has prepared a report that forms the first stage in the process of preparing an SPD setting out the scope, subject and potential content and seeks to gather the views of developers, the local community and other interested parties on what it should contain.

Cllr Richard Chesterton, cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: “The Refuse Storage SPD will provide much-needed guidance to ensure that suitable waste and recycling storage is provided in all new residential development.

“In addition, by reviewing the Statement of Community Involvement we can ensure that we continue to use the most effective methods to involve the community in the planning process.”

Consultations are currently taking place until July 18. Both documents are available to view on the council’s website at: SCI: https://www.middevon.gov.uk/sci and Refuse storage SPD: https://www.middevon.gov.uk/refusestorage . Hard copies of both documents are also available at the council offices in Tiverton and at Mid Devon libraries during normal opening hours.

Any comments should be received in writing by July 18, 2016 (midnight), including the sender’s name and full postal address. All responses will be treated as public documents and published on the council’s website.

Comments should be sent by email to: [email protected], or posted/delivered to Forward Planning, Mid Devon District Council, Phoenix House, Phoenix Lane, Tiverton, EX16 6PP.

To keep the public up-to-date in an efficient manner, the council will rely more heavily on emails in the future, so residents are encouraged to provide an email address when they respond to the consultation.