Public participation
17.—(1) Before a local planning authority adopt an SPD they must–
(a)make copies of the SPD documents and a statement of the SPD matters available for inspection during normal office hours–
(i)at their principal office, and
(ii)at such other places within their area as the authority consider appropriate; and
(b)prepare a statement setting out–
(i)the names of any persons whom the authority consulted in connection with the preparation of the SPD,
(ii)how those persons were consulted,
(iii)a summary of the main issues raised in those consultations,
(iv)how those issues have been addressed in the SPD.
(2) At the time the authority comply with paragraph (1)(a) they must–
(a)publish on their website–
(i)the SPD documents,
(ii)the SPD matters, and
(iii)a statement of the fact that the SPD documents are available for inspection and of the places and times at which they can be inspected;
(b)send to the bodies specified in paragraph (3)–
(i)the SPD,
(ii)the sustainability appraisal report,
(iii)the consultation statement,
(iv)such of the supporting documents as are relevant to the body to which the documents are being sent,
(v)notice of the SPD matters, and
(vi)the statement referred to in paragraph (a)(iii);
(c)give notice by local advertisement of–
(i)the SPD matters,
(ii)the fact that the SPD documents are available for inspection and the places and times at which they can be inspected; and
(d)make a request under section 24(2)(b) or (4)(b) (conformity with regional strategy).
(3) The bodies referred to in paragraph (2)(b) are–
(a)each of the specific consultation bodies to the extent that the local planning authority thinks that the SPD affects the body; and
(b)such of the general consultation bodies as the local planning authority consider appropriate.