Strategic Planning Policy - Privacy Notice

Who we are

We are the Planning Policy department for Conwy County Borough Council. This privacy notice explains how we use information in the course of our work as a local planning authority with respect to local plans. This work includes:

• Making planning policy documents
• Processing representations against planning policy documents
• Working with neighbourhoods on their plans
• Working with neighbouring authorities on strategic policies
• Entering legal agreements, serving notices and promoting the best use of land

If you have questions about data or privacy contact the Data Protection Officer: .

Data Protection Officer

01492 574016

derek.oconnor@conwy.gov.uk

How we get your information

We receive comments, representations and questions via email, letter, and through our online portal provided by JDi Solutions Ltd.

What we do with your information

During the plan making process we are obliged, by law, to consult on plan documents at several stages.  In order to submit a valid representation against these documents representors and agents must provide us with some personal data (eg name, address, contact details). In a small number of circumstances individuals will provide us with “special category data” in support of their representation.

We use the information provided to us to make decisions about the use of land in the public interest. This is known as a “public task” and is why we do not need you to “opt in” to allow your information to be used.

Some information provided to us we are obliged under the regulations to make available on planning registers. This is a permanent record of our planning decisions that form part of the planning register.

How we share your information

We do not sell your information to other organisations. We do not move your information beyond the UK. We do not use your information for automated decision making.

We will make details of representations available online and at the council offices as part of the public register. We will sometimes need to share the information we have with other parts of the council.

We may also contact representors and agents to notify them of subsequent consultations that are part of the same plan making process.

Redaction (‘blanking things out’)

We operate a policy where we routinely redact the following details before making forms and documents available online:

• Personal contact details for the respondent and agent - e.g. telephone numbers, email addresses
• Signatures
• Special Category Data - e.g. supporting statements that include information about health conditions or ethnic origin
• Information agreed to be confidential

Sometimes we might decide it is necessary, justified and lawful to disclose data that appears in the list above. In these circumstances we will let you know of our intention before we publish anything.

If you are submitting supporting information which you would like to be treated confidentially or wish to be specifically withheld from the public register, please let us know as soon as you can - ideally in advance of submitting the representation. The best way to contact us about this issue is by email to cdll-ldp@conwy.gov.uk or phone 01492 575461

Retention (‘how long we keep your information for’)

We process many different types of information according to our retention policy. Representations against planning policy documents are kept for 5 years.

Please note:

‘The Council is required by law to protect the public funds it administers and so may use any information you have provided for the prevention, detection and investigation of fraud and irregularity, for the performance of a contract, or, task carried out in the public interest, or to comply with a legal obligation.   Part 6 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and the Accounts and Audit (Wales) Regulations are the Legal basis.’ 

Complaints and problems

Processing representations against planning policy documents is a public task and you do not have the right to withdraw consent. However if you think we have got something wrong or there is a reason you would prefer for something to not be disclosed please ask us by email to cdll-ldp@conwy.gov.uk or phone 01492 575461

If you need to make a complaint specifically about the way we have processed your data you should in the first instance use our corporate complaints policy. If we fail to respond properly you can direct your concerns to the Information Commissioners Office.