Neighbourhood planning
The Localism Act 2011 introduced new rights and powers for communities and individuals to get more involved in planning their areas.
Neighbourhood planning allows communities to come together through a local parish council, town council or neighbourhood forum to say where they think new homes, businesses and shops should go, and what they should look like.
Neighbourhood planning is a tool to promote sustainable growth. It cannot prevent development in an area.
There are two main approaches to neighbourhood planning: neighbourhood plans and neighbourhood development orders. The Localism Act 2011 also allows community organisations to bring forward a 'community right to build' order, which is a type of neighbourhood development order.
You can find more information in the following guidance and related pages:
- Neighbourhood planning guidance (PDF)
- Neighbourhood planning protocol (PDF)
- How neighbourhood planning works
- Neighbourhood plans in progress
- Adopted neighbourhood plans
Neighbourhood planning process
In parished areas, the parish or town council is the qualifying body responsible for consulting on a neighbourhood plan and submitting it for examination.
The parish or town council may produce the plan itself, or oversee a steering group made up of community representatives and some parish or town councillors. Parish councils may also work with other parish councils to produce joint neighbourhood plans.
You can read more in the following guide and application form: