Statement of Community Involvement
The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) sets the standard and approach we take to involve stakeholders and the community in consulting on planning matters.
This includes the handling of major planning applications. It is intended to 'signpost' opportunities for anyone who wishes to make a contribution to planning for our future.
Lewes Statement of Community Involvement
Lewes District Council adopted the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) on 20 July 2020. The document sets out how and when the council will provide opportunities for the community to contribute to the planning process, including local plan preparation and the consideration of planning applications. It is split into four main sections as follows:
- Overview of the planning system
- Plan making
- Neighbourhood planning
- Development management
Revised Statement of Community Involvement
A revised Statement of Community Involvement has been drafted and is currently out for public consultation. Representations on the Draft Statement of Community Involvement are invited during a six-week consultation period, running from 08:00 on 25 June 2026 to 17:00 on 6 August 2026.
Lewes District Council is preparing the 'Statement of Community Involvement' which, when adopted, will set out the Council's approach to consulting the community and other stakeholders about planning.
The current SCI was adopted in 2020, with an addendum added in 2023 to reflect the change the Council Office address. There is a legislative requirement to undertake a review of the SCI under the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 every five years. The SCI is now being revised to take into account changes in national policy and guidance, and to reflect recent experience of consultation in order to make the consultation process more accessible, efficient and effective, ahead of consultation on the Local Plan. Once adopted, this document will replace the 2020 version.
The SCI explains when and how the Council will provide opportunities for community involvement in the planning process, including the preparation of local plans and the determination of planning applications. It is structured into four main sections:
- Overview of the Local Planning Authority
- Community Involvement in Plan Making
- Community Involvement in Neighbourhood Planning
- Community Involvement in Development Management
You can download the documents relating to the Lewes District Council SCI below.
Downloads:
Lewes Statement of Community Involvement 2020 (PDF, 1 MB)
Lewes Adoption Statement 2020 (PDF, 81 KB)
SCI Fact sheet Lewes - Community Involvement in Development Management (PDF, 219 KB)
SCI Fact sheet Lewes - Community Involvement in Neighbourhood Planning (PDF, 245 KB)
SCI Fact sheet Lewes - Community Involvement in Plan Making (PDF, 206 KB)
Eastbourne Statement of Community Involvement
Eastbourne Borough Council adopted the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) in February 2026. The document sets out how and when the council will provide opportunities for the community to contribute to the planning process, including local plan preparation and the consideration of planning applications. It is split into four main sections as follows:
- Overview of Local Authority Planning
- Community Involvement in Plan making
- Community Involvement in Development management
- Neighbourhood planning
You can download the documents relating to the Eastbourne Borough Council SCI below.
