Statement of community involvement SCI
Section 18 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 introduced a requirement for local planning authorities to prepare a statement of community involvement (SCI), that is ‘…a statement of the authority’s policy as to the involvement in the exercise of the authority’s functions under sections 19, 26 and 28 of this Act and Part 3 of the principal Act of persons who appear to the authority to have an interest in matters relating to development in their area.’
The statement of community involvement sets out the local planning authority's engagement strategy for the planned involvement of the local community in the preparation and review of development plan documents and in consultation on planning applications. It describes the standards that the local planning authority will adopt in these processes, and how those standards will be achieved. The statement of community involvement itself is not a development plan document, but may be included as part of the local plan’s core strategy.
The planning inspectorate suggests that, ‘A statement of community involvement will tell you how you can find out what is going on in relation to planning matters in your area and how you can get involved. It will set out the types of communities in the area that the authority will try to involve, and the organisations and people the authority has to consult. It should also set out how the authority will consult people.' (Ref. Planning inspectorate, A brief guide to examining statements of community involvement.)
The detailed requirements for the preparation of statements of community involvement were amended by the introduction of the Localism Act 2011 and the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.
See also statement of community consultation SoCC
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Authority monitoring report.
- Community.
- Community engagement.
- Community plan.
- Consultation process.
- Development management.
- Development plan.
- Development plan documents.
- Local development scheme.
- Local plan.
- London Borough of Enfield's heritage strategy.
- Neighbourhood plan.
- NPPF.
- Planning authorities.
- Planning permission.
- Supplementary planning documents.
- The London Plan.
Featured articles and news
ECA, JIB and JTL back Fabian Society call to invest in skills for a stronger built environment workforce.
Women's Contributions to the Built Environment.
Calls for the delayed Circular Economy Strategy
Over 50 leading businesses, trade associations and professional bodies, including CIAT, and UKGBC sign open letter.
The future workforce: culture change and skill
Under the spotlight at UK Construction Week London.
A landmark moment for postmodern heritage.
A safe energy transition – ECA launches a new Charter
Practical policy actions to speed up low carbon adoption while maintaining installation safety and competency.
Frank Duffy: Researcher and Practitioner
Reflections on achievements and relevance to the wider research and practice communities.
The 2026 Compliance Landscape: Fire doors
Why 'Business as Usual' is a Liability.
Cutting construction carbon footprint by caring for soil
Is construction neglecting one of the planet’s most powerful carbon stores and one of our greatest natural climate allies.
ARCHITECTURE: How's it progressing?
Archiblogger posing questions of a historical and contextual nature.
The roofscape of Hampstead Garden Suburb
Residents, architects and roofers need to understand detailing.
Homes, landlords. tenants and the new housing standards
What will it all mean?
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch-up on the latest episodes.
Edmundson Apprentice of the Year award 2026
Entries now open for this Electrical Contractors' Association award.
Traditional blue-grey slate from one of the oldest and largest UK slate quarries down in Cornwall.
There are plenty of sources with the potential to be redeveloped.