Council Planning Department Validation Checklist, Equality Screening

S75 Equality And Good Relations Screening Form

General Information

This is a new policy/procedure.

Operational Area: Planning Department.

Title: Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Planning Department Validation Checklist

Brief Summary

The validation checklist sets out additional procedures to be implemented to request additional information to make a planning application valid. The Planning (General Development Procedure) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 empowers councils to publish a Planning Application Validation Checklist that specifies the level of information/ evidence to be submitted with a planning application to make it a valid application. This will apply to all applications for full planning permission, outline planning permissions and the associated approval of reserved matters. This will require all the necessary information/evidence that would previously have been submitted at various stages during the processing of planning applications to be submitted at the outset at validation stage. The legislation was made on 01 October 2024 by DfI and comes into operation on 01 April 2025.

What is it trying to achieve? (intended aims and outcomes)

The purpose of the planning application validation checklist is to set out the necessary information/evidence required to make a planning application valid and ready for processing. The Validation Checklist sets out the information/evidence generally required at the outset when submitting a planning application to improve the quality of the planning applications submitted and ensure applications are complete and capable of being processed.

This will enable the front-loaded planning application to be processed in a more efficient and effective manner, improving the processing times of planning applications by receiving fully informed quality planning applications at validation stage. The benefits of validation checklists are generally set out as follows:

they set out the scope of information required at the outset to ensure a ‘fit for purpose’ submission;
they enable the planning authority to have all the necessary information to determine the application.
they minimise the need for further submission of additional information during the life of the application which avoids unnecessary delay in the determination of applications and reduces costs to councils through reduction in re-advertisements and re-neighbour notification.
they provide applicants with certainty as to the level of information required and the likely overall investment needed prior to the application submission.
they ensure that the appropriate information is provided with an application to assist interested parties, including consultees, in their consideration of development proposals.

Who owns and who implements each element of the function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?

Planning Department.

Other policies etc. which have a bearing on this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?

Strategies:

The Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011; The Planning (General Development Procedure) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024; the Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017; The Planning (Development Management) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015; Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014, The Northern Ireland Planning Statistical Bulletins, NIAO Planning in Northern Ireland 2022; Public Accounts Committee Planning in Northern Ireland 2022; The Council’s Corporate Plan 2021 – 2025; The Northern Area Plan 2016; Strategic Planning Policy Statement for Northern Ireland; suite of regional Planning Policy Statements.

Available Evidence

Evidence to help inform the screening process may take many forms. Public authorities should ensure that their screening decision is informed by relevant data.

What evidence/information (both qualitative and quantitative have you gathered to inform this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance? Specify details for relevant Section 75 categories.

The Northern Ireland Planning Statistics Annual Reports 2015/16 -2023/24;
NIAO Planning in Northern Ireland 2022; Report found that “a key means of improving application quality and speeding up the planning process was to front-load the process. There are two main means of doing this:
Ensuring that all applications are submitted with the necessary supporting documentation; and
Providing pre-application discussions (PADs)”

This was evidenced by a study and review carried out relating to Belfast City Council.

Department for Infrastructures letter to all councils encouraging them to follow BCC’s example in advance of any legislative changes.
Public Accounts Committee Planning in Northern Ireland 2022.
Department for Infrastructure Departmental Response to Public Consultation, dated October 2024 which can be found here:

Departmental Response to Consultation on Planning Application Validation Checklists
Average processing times of planning applications are available to view in the Department for Infrastructure Annual Statistical Bulleting which can be found here https://www.infrastructure-ni....
The NISRA Census 2021; impacts reviewed and detailed below.

Section 75 Category Details of Evidence/Information

The Census statistics in 2021 collated by NISRA statistics detailed the usual resident population of Causeway Coast & Glens Local Government District to be 141,746 accounting for 7.45% of the N.I. total. Statistical information with regards to the Districts makeup and individuals therein was also reviewed.

Planning application validation checklists are widely used across Councils in other jurisdictions and a number of local Councils in NI have already implemented them: Belfast City Council, Ards and North Down District Council, Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council. Other Councils are currently developing their validation checklists.

The benefits of validation checklists are generally set out as follows:

they set out the scope of information required at the outset to ensure a ‘fit for purpose’ submission;
they enable the planning authority to have all the necessary information to determine the application.
they minimise the need for further submission of additional information during the life of the application which avoids unnecessary delay in the determination of applications and reduces costs to councils through reduction in re-advertisements and re-neighbour notification.
they provide applicants with certainty as to the level of information required and the likely overall investment needed prior to the application submission.
they ensure that the appropriate information is provided with an application to assist interested parties, including consultees, in their consideration of development proposals.

The provision of the information at the validation stage provides efficiency in the planning process through reduction in time, costs and impact on resources through reduced re-advertisement, re-notification and re-consultation.

Those identified as being affected by the change include internal staff in the Planning section and external stakeholders such as service users, applicants, members of the public, planning agents, architects, developers, and businesses. These groups will have the opportunity to provide feedback on this proposal through our public consultation.

Religious Beliefs

The 2021 Census outlined:

Religion / religion brought up in: [1]

Census 2021	CC&G Borough Council	Northern Ireland
Roman Catholic	40.12%	45.70%
Protestant & Other Christian (including Christian related)	51.17%	43.48%
Other Religions	0.78%	1.50%
None/Not stated	7.94%	9.32%

Staff breakdown by Religious Belief / Community Background (Figures as at 6 June 2024)
Religious Belief / Community Background	Gender	Number of Staff
Roman Catholic	Male	140 (21%)
Roman Catholic	Female	127 (19%)
Protestant	Male	245 (36%)
Protestant	Female	132 (19%)
Non-Determined	Male	21 (3%)
Non-Determined	Female	17 (2%)
Total	682

In terms of religion or religion brought up in the 2021 Census indicates that our resident’s religious beliefs are comparable to those in Northern Ireland in that there are 2 predominant groupings ie Roman Catholic and Protestant. However, we also have a number of individuals (7.94%) who do not practice a specific religion or who do not wish to be grouped into a specific religion. In addition, we have a small number of individuals who practice other religions.

The proposed validation checklist has been consulted on by the Department for Infrastructure during November 2022 to January 2023.

Their consultation did not identify any issues relating to Section 75 categories or equality of opportunity.

There is no evidence to indicate that this policy/procedure will have a positive or negative impact on any of this Section 75 group. However, the planned Council public consultation process will support the identification of any currently unknown impacts. The consultation will include an online questionnaire (also available to be completed on hard copy or over the telephone), and targeted engagement with key stakeholders. The Equality Impact Screening and Rural Needs Impact Assessment were consulted on as part of the public consultation exercise by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council on the Planning Application Validation Checklist. The public consultation ran for 12 weeks from 20 January to 14 April 2025. No responses were received within this timeframe in relation to Equality Impact and Rural Needs Impact.

Political Opinion

The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (2021) provides the following information on the political parties people in Northern Ireland feel closest to (this information is not available at local government level):

DUP/Democratic Unionist Party: 12%

Sinn Féin: 13%

Ulster Unionist Party (UUP): 13%

Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP): 13%

Alliance Party: 19%

Green Party: 5%

Other Party: 4%

None of these: 11%

Racial Group

On Census Day 21 March 2021 the resident population was:

White
CC&G Borough Council 98.55%
Northern Ireland 96.55%

Irish Traveller
CC&G Borough Council 0.03%
Northern Ireland 0.14%

Roma
CC&G Borough Council 0.01%
Northern Ireland 0.08%

Indian
CC&G Borough Council 0.15%
Northern Ireland 0.52%

Chinese
CC&G Borough Council 0.22%
Northern Ireland 0.50%

Filipino
CC&G Borough Council 0.10%
Northern Ireland 0.23%

Pakistani
CC&G Borough Council 0.03%
Northern Ireland 0.08%

Arab
CC&G Borough Council 0.03%
Northern Ireland 0.10%

Other Asian
CC&G Borough Council 0.10%
Northern Ireland 0.28%

Black African
CC&G Borough Council 0.12%
Northern Ireland 0.42%

Black Other
CC&G Borough Council 0.04%
Northern Ireland 0.16%

Mixed
CC&G Borough Council 0.51%
Northern Ireland 0.76%

Other ethnicities
CC&G Borough Council 0.11%
Northern Ireland 0.19%

Main Language in CC&G Borough Council, Census 2021

English 98%

Other languages 2%

Although our population is becoming more diverse 2% of our residents do not speak English as their main language. As a result the Validation Checklist will be publicised on the Councils website which supports translation into various languages for the 2% of our residents noted above.

Staff breakdown by Racial Group / Ethnic Origin (Figures as at 6 June 2024)

Other 2 (0.29%)

White / White European 628 (92.08%)

Unknown 52 (7.63%)

Total 682.

The Planning Service will provide the Validation Checklist information in alternative formats or languages upon request. Additionally, applicants can arrange a meeting with a planning officer for general advice. An interpreter can be requested for attendance at these meetings if necessary. In addition, there are opportunities for individuals to nominate a 3rd party to submit on their behalf.

The Equality Impact Screening and Rural Needs Impact Assessment were consulted on as part of the public consultation exercise by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council on the Planning Application Validation Checklist. The public consultation ran for 12 weeks from 20 January to 14 April 2025. No responses were received within this timeframe in relation to Equality Impact and Rural Needs Impact.

There is no evidence to indicate that this policy/procedure will have a positive or negative impact on any of this Section 75 group.

Age

Age: (NISRA Census 2021 – Table MS-A02)

0-4 years
CC&G Borough Council 7,973 (5.62%)
Northern Ireland 113,820 (5.98%)

5-9 years
CC&G Borough Council 8,878 (6.26%)
Northern Ireland 124,475 (6.54%)

10-14 years
CC&G Borough Council 9,113 (6.43%)
Northern Ireland 126,918 (6.67%)

15-19 years
CC&G Borough Council 8,326 (5.87%)
Northern Ireland 113,203 (5.95%)

20-24 years
CC&G Borough Council 7,873 (5.55%)
Northern Ireland 111,386 (5.85%)

25-29 years
CC&G Borough Council 7,713 (5.44%)
Northern Ireland 116,409 (6.12%)

30-34 years
CC&G Borough Council 8,460 (5.97%)
Northern Ireland 126,050 (6.62%)

35-39 years
CC&G Borough Council 8,528 (6.02%)
Northern Ireland 127,313 (6.69%)

40-44 years
CC&G Borough Council 8,513 (6.01%)
Northern Ireland 122,163 (6.42%)

45-49 years
CC&G Borough Council 9,322 (6.58%)
Northern Ireland 121,670 (6.39%)

50-54 years
CC&G Borough Council 10,412 (7.35%)
Northern Ireland 130,967 (6.88%)

55-59 years
CC&G Borough Council 10,150 (7.16%)
Northern Ireland 129,276 (6.79%)

60-64 years
CC&G Borough Council 9,171 (6.47%)
Northern Ireland 113,049 (5.94%)

65-69 years
CC&G Borough Council 7,769 (5.48%)
Northern Ireland 93,464 (4.91%)

70-74 years
CC&G Borough Council 6,990 (4.93%)
Northern Ireland 83,467 (4.39%)

75-79 years
CC&G Borough Council 5,659 (3.99%)
Northern Ireland 66,377 (3.49%)

80-84 years
CC&G Borough Council 3,718 (2.62%)
Northern Ireland 43,776 (2.30%)

85-89 years
CC&G Borough Council 2,126 (1.50%)
Northern Ireland 25,879 (1.36%)

90+ years
CC&G Borough Council 1,051 (0.74%)
Northern Ireland 13,512 (0.71%)

TOTAL Population
CC&G Borough Council 141,745
Northern Ireland 1,903,174

Statistics in the table above highlight an ageing resident population.

Staff breakdown by Age (Figures as at 6 June 2024)

Age Group / Number of staff

18-21: 2 (0.3%)

22-29: 21 (3.1%)

30-34: 39 (5.7%)

35-39: 67 (9.8%)

40-44: 84 (12.3%)

45-49: 83 (12.2%)

50-54: 139 (20.4%)

55-59: 112 (16.4%)

60-64: 94 (13.8%)

65-120: 41 (6.0%)

Total: 682.

Although Covid led older individuals to become more digitally savvy. According to the Digital Skills in Northern Ireland report, nearly half of those aged 65 and over lack digital skills, compared to less than 10% of individuals aged 16 to 49. To mitigate this inequality for older people, paper or large print copies of the Planning Application Validation Checklist will be made available on request. Additionally, applicants can arrange a meeting with a planning officer for general advice. In addition, there are opportunities for individuals to nominate a 3rd party to submit on their behalf.

There is no evidence to indicate that this policy/procedure will have a positive or negative impact on any of this Section 75 group.

Marital Status

Marital status by former legacy Council area (most recent figures available from Census 2011):

Single
Ballymoney BC 32.68%
Coleraine BC 34.78%
Limavady BC 36.64%
Moyle DC 34.96%

Married
Ballymoney BC 52.52%
Coleraine BC 48.88%
Limavady BC 48.94%
Moyle DC 49.03%

Civil Partnership
Ballymoney BC 0.07%
Coleraine BC 0.06%
Limavady BC 0.08%
Moyle DC 0.08%

Separated
Ballymoney BC 3.13%
Coleraine BC 3.15%
Limavady BC 3.58%
Moyle DC 3.66%

Divorced/Civil Partnership Dissolved
Ballymoney BC 5.23%
Coleraine BC 6.13%
Limavady BC 4.99%
Moyle DC 5.11%

Widowed/Surviving Civil Partner
Ballymoney BC 6.39%
Coleraine BC 7.00%
Limavady BC 5.78%
Moyle DC 7.15%.

Staff breakdown by Marital Status (Figures as at 6 June 2024)

Marital Status / Number of staff

Unknown 55 (8.06%)

Civil Partnership 4 (0.59%)

Divorced 17 (2.49%)

Married 391 (57.33%)

Other 25 (3.67%)

Separated 14 (2.05%)

Single 172 (25.22%)

Widowed 4 (0.59%)

Total 682.

There is no evidence to indicate that this policy/procedure will have a positive or negative impact on any of this Section 75 group.

Sexual Orientation

The 2021 census for the first time included a question on sexual orientation.

Sexual orientation MS-C01: Census 2021

Straight or heterosexual
CC&G Borough Council 104,205 (91.28%)
Northern Ireland 1,363,859 (90.04%)

Gay or lesbian
CC&G Borough Council 906 (0.79%)
Northern Ireland 17,713 (1.17%)

Bisexual
CC&G Borough Council 596 (0.52%)
Northern Ireland 11,306 (0.75%)

Other sexual orientation
CC&G Borough Council 135 (0.12%)
Northern Ireland 2,597 (0.17%)

Prefer not to say
CC&G Borough Council 4,502 (3.94%)
Northern Ireland 69,307 (4.58%)

Not stated
CC&G Borough Council 3,816 (3.34%)
Northern Ireland 49,961 (3.30%)

All usual residents aged 16 and over
CC&G Borough Council 114,160
Northern Ireland 1,514,743

The council currently has no data specific to its workforce.

There is no evidence to indicate that this policy/procedure will have a positive or negative impact on any of this Section 75 group.

Men and Women Generally

Gender: (Census 2021 – Table MS-A07)

Male
CC&G Borough Council 69,848 (49.28%)
Northern Ireland 936,132 (49.19%)

Female
CC&G Borough Council 71,898 (50.72%)
Northern Ireland 967,043 (50.81%).

Staff breakdown by Gender (Figures as at 6 June 2024)

Gender / Number of staff

Male 406 (59.53%)

Female 276 (40.47%)

Total 682.

There is no evidence to indicate that this policy/procedure will have a positive or negative impact on any of this Section 75 group.

Dependants

In Causeway Coast and Glens 28% of households include dependent children, compared with the NI average of 29.21% as demonstrated in the table below. At the time of the Census, 12.32% of people stated that they provided unpaid care to family, friends, neighbours or others.

Number of dependent children - households MS-A24: Census 2021

All households
CC&G Borough Council 57,577
Northern Ireland 768,809

No children in household
CC&G Borough Council 31,968 (55.52%)
Northern Ireland 423,956 (55.14%)

No dependent children in household/All children in household non-dependent
CC&G Borough Council 9,490 (16.48%)
Northern Ireland 120,314 (15.65%)

One dependent child aged 0-4
CC&G Borough Council 1,816 (3.15%)
Northern Ireland 27,233 (3.54%)

One dependent child aged 5-11
CC&G Borough Council 1,470 (2.55%)
Northern Ireland 21,123 (2.75%)

One dependent child aged 12-18
CC&G Borough Council 2,919 (5.07%)
Northern Ireland 39,203 (5.10%)

Two dependent children, youngest aged 0-4
CC&G Borough Council 2,293 (3.98%)
Northern Ireland 32,598 (4.24%)

Two dependent children, youngest aged 5-11
CC&G Borough Council 2,635 (4.58%)
Northern Ireland 36,534 (4.75%)

Two dependent children, youngest aged 12-18
CC&G Borough Council 1,398 (2.43%)
Northern Ireland 18,532 (2.41%)

Three or more dependent children, youngest aged 0-4
CC&G Borough Council 1,773 (3.08%)
Northern Ireland 24,120 (3.14%)

Three or more dependent children, youngest aged 5-11
CC&G Borough Council 1,562 (2.71%)
Northern Ireland 21,677 (2.82%)

Three or more dependent children, youngest aged 12-18
CC&G Borough Council 253 (0.44%)
Northern Ireland 3,519 (0.46%)

In Causeway Coast and Glens 9.61% of households comprise of a lone parent and a dependent child or children, compared with the NI average of 10.58%.

Staff Family Status, (Figures as at 6 June 2024)

Family Status / Number of staff

Unknown 260 (38.12%)

Adults(s) 10 (1.47%)

Child/Children 215 (31.52%)

None 197 (28.89%)

Total 682

To assist individuals who provide care and may be unable to leave their homes or for those without dependants who would find it more convenient, we can offer the option of online meetings with relevant officers. In addition, there are opportunities for individuals to nominate a 3rd party to submit on their behalf.

There is no evidence to indicate that this policy/procedure will have a positive or negative impact on any of this Section 75 group.

Disability

The Census 2021 showed that 35.95% of our residents has a long-term health condition or illness which limits their daily activities or the work they can do, which is slightly higher than the NI average of 34.67%.

Number of long-term health conditions MS-D04: Census 2021

All usual residents
CC&G Borough Council 141,746
Northern Ireland 1,903,176

Does not have a long-term health condition
CC&G Borough Council 90,793 (64.05%)
Northern Ireland 1,243,371 (65.33%)

1 long-term health condition
CC&G Borough Council 26,690 (18.83%)
Northern Ireland 344,687 (18.11%)

2 long-term health conditions
CC&G Borough Council 12,121 (8.55%)
Northern Ireland 151,512 (7.96%)

3 long-term health conditions
CC&G Borough Council 6,220 (4.39%)
Northern Ireland 81,075 (4.26%)

4 long-term health conditions
CC&G Borough Council 3,440 (2.43%)
Northern Ireland 46,166 (2.43%)

5 or more long-term health conditions
CC&G Borough Council 2,482 (1.75%)
Northern Ireland 36,365 (1.91%).

In our borough long-term pain or discomfort affects the most individuals, followed by mobility or dexterity that limits physical activities.

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Long-term Condition

Deafness or partial hearing loss 8,914 (6.29%)

Blindness or partial sight 2,560 (1.81%)

Mobility or dexterity that requires the use of a wheelchair 2,145 (1.51%)

Mobility or dexterity that limits physical activities 15,951 (11.25%)

Intellectual or learning disability 1,340 (0.95%)

Intellectual or learning difficulty 4,334 (3.06%)

Autism or Asperger syndrome 2,282 (1.61%)

An emotional, psychological or mental health condition 11,787 (8.32%)

Frequent periods of confusion or memory loss 2,681 (1.89%)

Long term pain or discomfort 17,396 (12.27%)

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing 14,525 (10.25%)

Other condition 13,214 (9.32%)

Source: NISRA, Census 2021, tables MS-D03, MS-D04 through to MS-D16.

Staff breakdown by Disability, (Figures as at 6 June 2024)

With or Without a Disability / Number of staff

No 670 (98.24%)

Yes 12 (1.76%)

Total 682

The most prevalent long-term conditions in our borough are long term pain or discomfort, mobility or dexterity that limits physical activities, and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. The on-line, paper and telephone consultation options will support people with a wide variety of conditions and all abilities to put forward their opinions and suggestions.

To assist individuals who may have a condition that prevents them from attending in-person, we can offer the option of online meetings with relevant officers. Alternatively, applicants can arrange a face-to-face meeting with a planning officer for general advice. Sign-Video is available to support sign language interpretation. In addition, there are opportunities for individuals to nominate a 3rd party to submit on their behalf.

Paper or large print copies of the Planning Application Validation Checklist will be made available on request. Documentation will be uploaded to the website to support screen readers. Information can be provided in word, as an Easy Read Document, in large print or other relevant format to support clear understanding.

There is no evidence to indicate that this policy/procedure will have a positive or negative impact on any of this Section 75 group.

Screening Question 1

1. What is the likely impact on equality of opportunity for those affected by this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?

Section 75 Category - Positive impact (it could benefit), Neutral, Negative impact (it could disadvantage).

Gender
Women Neutral impact.
Men Neutral impact.
Transgender men/women Neutral impact.
Reason: There is no evidence that the proposed introduction of a validation checklist will have any specific impact on this Section 75 Category.

Race

The categories used in the Race section are those used in the 2011 census. Consideration should be given to the needs of specific communities within the broad categories.
Neutral impact.
Reason: There is no evidence that the proposed introduction of a validation checklist will have any specific impact on this Section 75 Category. However mitigation has been incorporated into both the consultation process and the format the checklist will/can be provided to support diverse racial groups within our borough.

Disability

Long term health impairment could include mental health problems, asthma, heart conditions, chronic fatigue etc.
Neutral impact.
Reason: There is no evidence that the proposed introduction of a validation checklist will have any specific impact on this Section 75 Category. However mitigation has been incorporated into both the consultation process and the format the checklist will/can be provided to support people with different disabilities who reside within our borough.

Sexual orientation
Heterosexual, lesbian, gay men, bisexual, others.
Neutral impact.
Reason: There is no evidence that the proposed introduction of a validation checklist will have any specific impact on this Section 75 Category.

Age
Older People Neutral impact.
Younger people and children Neutral impact.
Reason: There is no evidence that the proposed introduction of a validation checklist will have any specific impact on this Section 75 Category. However mitigation has been incorporated into both the consultation process and the format the checklist will/can be provided to support all age groups within our borough.

Political Opinion
Neutral impact.
Reason: There is no evidence that the proposed introduction of a validation checklist will have any specific impact on this Section 75 Category.

Religious Belief
Neutral impact.
Reason: There is no evidence that the proposed introduction of a validation checklist will have any specific impact on this Section 75 Category.

Martial Status
Neutral impact.
Reason: There is no evidence that the proposed introduction of a validation checklist will have any specific impact on this Section 75 Category.

Dependants
Neutral impact.
Reason: There is no evidence that the proposed introduction of a validation checklist will have any specific impact on this Section 75 Category. However, mitigation has been incorporated into both the consultation process and the format the checklist will/can be provided to support diverse racial groups within our borough.

Screening Question 2

2. Are there opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity for people within any of the Section 75 categories?

Gender
(Women, Men, Transgender men/women , Other please specify)
No. There is no opportunity to better promote equality of opportunity through the Planning Application Validation Checklist.

Race
The categories used in the Race section are those used in the 2011 census. Consideration should be given to the needs of specific communities within the broad categories.
(Asian, Black, Chinese, Mixed race, White, Other please specify)
No. There is no opportunity to better promote equality of opportunity through the Planning Application Validation Checklist.

Disability
Long term health impairment could include mental health problems, asthma, heart conditions, chronic fatigue etc.
No. There is no opportunity to better promote equality of opportunity through the Planning Application Validation Checklist.

Sexual orientation
Heterosexual, lesbian, gay men, bisexual, others
No. There is no opportunity to better promote equality of opportunity through the Planning Application Validation Checklist.

Age
Older People, Younger people and children
No. There is no opportunity to better promote equality of opportunity through the Planning Application Validation Checklist.

Political Opinion
No. There is no opportunity to better promote equality of opportunity through the Planning Application Validation Checklist.

Religious Belief
No. There is no opportunity to better promote equality of opportunity through the Planning Application Validation Checklist.

Marital Status
No. There is no opportunity to better promote equality of opportunity through the Planning Application Validation Checklist.

Dependants
No. There is no opportunity to better promote equality of opportunity through the Planning Application Validation Checklist.

Screening Question 3

3. To what extent is the policy likely to impact on good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group?

Section 75 Category Details of policy impact Level of impact major/minor/none

Religious Belief
The validation checklist is designed to enhance the quality-of-service via improved documentation, and as such, it does not have any impact on good relations.
Level of impact: None.

Political Opinion
The validation checklist is designed to enhance the quality-of-service via improved documentation, and as such, it does not have any impact on good relations.
Level of impact: None.

Racial Group
The validation checklist is designed to enhance the quality-of-service via improved documentation, and as such, it does not have any impact on good relations.
Level of impact: None.

Screening Question 4

4. Are there opportunities to better promote good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group?

Section 75 Category If Yes, provide details If No, provide details

Religious Belief
The validation checklist is designed to enhance the quality-of-service via improved documentation, and as such, has no remit to better promote good relations.

Political Opinion
The validation checklist is designed to enhance the quality-of-service via improved documentation, and as such, has no remit to better promote good relations.

Racial Group
The validation checklist is designed to enhance the quality-of-service via improved documentation, and as such, has no remit to better promote good relations.

Additional Considerations

Generally speaking people can fall into more than one Section 75 category. Taking this into consideration, are there any potential impacts of the function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance on people with multiple identities? (For example: disabled minority ethnic people, disabled women, young Protestant men, young lesbians, gay and bisexual people.)

Key Section 75 stakeholders had the opportunity to provide feedback during the consultation process. The needs of individuals with multiple identities have already been considered in the mitigation measures implemented. The consultation did not identify any additional measures, An officer attended the Council Equality Forum to meet with members to gain their feedback on the Validation checklist. Members did not identify any additional measures.

Provide details of data on the impact of the function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance on people with multiple identities. Specify the relevant Section 75 categories concerned.

Young men with caring responsibilities have the option to meet with officers online, while older, disabled women with caring responsibilities can request a paper copy of the documentation and return it using the freepost envelope provided. Muslim women may request a female officer to handle their case. Individuals of all genders are encouraged to share their views and opinions on the validation checklist by completing the survey in any of the available formats.

Disability Considerations

Is there an opportunity to better promote positive attitudes towards disabled people by altering this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?

No.

If yes, please give further information and examples:

Mitigation measures have been already added to the process. Additionally, Key Section 75 stakeholders had the opportunity to provide feedback during the consultation process. The needs of individuals with multiple identities have already been considered in the mitigation measures implemented. The consultation did not identify any additional measures, An officer attended the Council Equality Forum to meet with members to gain their feedback on the Validation checklist. Members did not identify any additional measures.

Is there an opportunity to encourage participation by disabled people in public life by altering this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?

No.

Please give further information and examples:

Screening Decision

Likely Impact: None.

If the decision is to subject the policy to an equality impact assessment (i.e. likely impact – Major), please provide details of the reasons for this:

N/A

If the decision is not to conduct an equality impact assessment (i.e. likely impact = Minor) the Council should consider if the policy should be mitigated or an alternative policy be introduced:

N/A

If the decision is not to conduct an equality impact assessment (i.e. likely impact = None), please provide details of the reasons for this:

All sections of the community can participate in the submission of information in the planning application process. It allows for others to submit information on their behalf where they consider it difficult to do so themselves.

Mitigation

When the Council concludes that the likely impact is ‘Minor’ and an equality impact assessment is not to be conducted, the Council may consider mitigation to lessen the severity of any equality impact, or the introduction of an alternative policy to better promote equality of opportunity or good relations.

Can the policy/decision be amended or changed or an alternative policy introduced to better promote equality of opportunity and/or good relations?

Yes

If YES, give the reasons to support your decision, together with the proposed changes/amendments or alternative policy:

Mitigation measures have already been added to the process. Key Section 75 stakeholders had the opportunity to provide feedback during the consultation process. The needs of individuals with multiple identities have already been considered in the mitigation measures implemented. The consultation did not identify any additional measures, An officer attended the Council Equality Forum to meet with members to gain their feedback on the Validation checklist. Members did not identify any additional measures.

Timetabling And Prioritising

If the policy/decision has been ‘screened in’ for equality impact assessment, then please answer the following questions to determine its priority for timetabling the equality impact assessment.

On a scale of 1 to 3, with 1 being the lowest priority and 3 the highest, assess the policy in terms of its priority for equality impact assessment.

Priority Criterion

Rating (1 to 3)

Effect on equality of opportunity and good relations: N/A

Social Need: N/A

Effect on people’s daily lives: N/A

Relevance to the Council’s functions: N/A

Monitoring

Please outline proposals for future monitoring of the policy/decision:

Review every 2 years in line with Council policy. Review against statutory targets regarding the speed of processing, Retain a Policy issues log. Assess the outcomes of previous decisions on a 6 monthly basis.

Approval And Authorisation

Screened and Approved By Position/Job Title Date: Head of Planning, 20/05/2025.