Consultation on Statement of Community Involvement

LB Hounslow are consulting on the means by which they involve the community in planning decisions and details can be read in full at LB Hounslow Consultations

Here’s our reply:

With the increasing number of ever-larger developments in Brentford, we welcome the opportunity to suggest much needed improvements in the consultation system.

The complexity of information makes it very difficult for the uninitiated to read plans on the normal sized work monitor and often there is simply too much paperwork to be able to go through it all. Having a wider number of plans available at Brentford (rather than Hounslow) library would be helpful. If it were possible, having 3D models on display would also help people get an overview of the applications.

Electronically planning applications are not well publicised. One cannot subscribe to twitter/RSS feed for local applications. There is no means of searching the planning site for all open applications in an area. The information is there but it is hard to get at.

Hyperlocal websites such as www.BrentfordTW8.com need to be used to help spread the word.

We would like to ensure that S106 or CIL levies, are re-invested and ring fenced for the ward where the application takes place. It is not for Brentford’s development to fund services at the other end of the borough when we have no development in infrastructure here. And vice-versa of course.

Although we are not here to scrutinise all applications we would appreciate being kept informed of all major applications and commercial ones in the wards of Brentford and Syon.

We would like Brentford Chamber of Commerce to be explicitly listed, both in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2.