Planning applications: Statement of Community Involvement
The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) was adopted by Barnet Council on 16th September 2025.
It sets out how we will involve and engage local people, local businesses, other organisations and key stakeholders when preparing planning policy documents, and consulting on planning applications.
The Statement of Community Involvement provides the principles, methods, expectations and standards for consultation and engagement regarding local planning documents and development management decisions. It sets out:
- what we involve the community on;
- when we will involve the community;
- how we will involve the community; and
- who we will involve
Planning law requires us to review and update their Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) every 5 years.
The Statement of Community Involvement (2025) reflects recent changes to planning law as well as technological and digital advances which inform the way that public consultation can be conducted. The document provides a framework which commits to transparent engagement, and embeds strong procedural and ethical commitments.
The consultation methods the Statement of Community Involvement promotes such as flexible engagement options, and online accessibility are naturally inclusive and can reach a wider audience to improve the level of participation and engagement on planning matters.
The adopted SCI (2025) has replaced both the 2018 SCI and 2020 addendum versions