VIEWS?are being sought on strengthening community involvement in the planning process.

Hampshire County Council is asking residents for their thoughts on how the role of communities could be strengthened in the decision-making process for determining planning applications for minerals and waste, as well as county council developments in Hampshire.

Rob Humby, the authority’s executive member for environment and transport, said: “We want to ensure local communities make their views known on county council planning decisions, and so very much want to hear local views through this consultation on the statement of community involvement.

“We are committed to encouraging participation from all sections of the community and want to make it easier for everyone to be involved in county planning decisions in their local area.”

The statement of community involvement sets out how the county council involves the local community in preparing and reviewing the minerals and waste planning policy documents, and county council decision making on planning applications for minerals, waste and county council developments.

Since the statement was first consulted on and agreed in 2014, new national planning practice guidance has been introduced, requiring the authority to update its statement, and the county council is now consulting residents on these revisions.

The public consultation will run until December 19 and is available online at hants.gov.uk/sciconsultation2016. Paper copies are available by calling 0300 5551389.