Tailoring the Checklist for other local authorities
How can the Checklist be tailored to meet the needs of other local authorities?
In 2007, Brighton & Hove City Council took the opportunity offered by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to tailor the South East Checklist to its own needs. The process confirmed what those that put together the South East Checklist expected: as all the questions were linked to regional policy, objectives and indicators, it was not necessary to remove any questions. The Checklist proved to be flexible enough to allow for the incorporation of issues of local relevance which had not been addressed at the regional level without the need for structural change to the checklist itself.
However, in two areas the council suggested that the South East Checklist could be refined. First, considering the South East Checklist was designed mainly for large-scale new build, there was the need to incorporate questions to cater for conversions as well as revise the threshold of developments to reflect Brighton & Hove’s development profile. Second, there was no clear link between the South East Checklist and the planning system. That is, there was no monitoring system that would allow for Brighton & Hove City Council to gather information about developments delivered via the planning system – i.e. checklists submitted as part of planning applications.
Both suggestions were taken on board and the adequate software adjustments made to incorporate into the Brighton & Hove Checklist new questions and a monitoring system.
Other Local Planning Authorities interested in doing their own tailoring work should send an email to info@checklistsoutheast.co.uk or call 020 7422 1777 for the South East Checklist or visit the Contact us section of the Brighton & Hove Checklist.