Neighbourhood plans
What is a neighbourhood plan?
A neighbourhood plan is a community led framework for guiding the future development, regeneration and conservation of an area. Neighbourhood plans have a different status to other community led plans. Subject to a few basic conditions they will become legally binding and will become part of the development plan for the area. These conditions include:
- they must have approval through a local referendum
- they must take account of national planning policy
- they must conform generally to the needs for strategic development set out in existing Local Plans (previously the Local Development Framework)
- they cannot provide less development than existing Local Plans but could propose additional development if it was appropriate
Making the decision to prepare a neighbourhood plan
The process of producing a neighbourhood plan will bring together residents, businesses, landowners and local groups. These groups will need to work together to build a consensus and plan the future of their local area.
Once a community has made the decision to progress with a neighbourhood plan, the first step is for the relevant town or parish council to make an application to the district or borough council to designate a neighbourhood area.
Download:
- Neighbourhood Planning - Application to designate a neighbourhood area form (PDF), or
- Neighbourhood Planning - Application to designate a neighbourhood area form (Word)
A summary of the key stages in neighbourhood planning
More ;help and advice is also available at Neighbourhood Planning Support.
How can we help?
We can provide support and assistance to any community that wants to produce a neighbourhood plan, but it will not control the process which has to be a community led. Nevertheless, the regulations require us to undertake statutory tasks at certain points in the process in order to assist and support the community. Proposals for neighbourhood plans which have proven community support, through a local referendum, will need to be brought in to force by the local planning authority.
Once a neighbourhood area is designated, each parish will be allocated a planning officer to provide one to one support and technical advice to parishes throughout the production of the neighbourhood plan.
Neighbourhood plans should be in conformity with strategic policies within the development plans for the council.
More information
- Neighbourhood Planning Independent Examiner Referral Service - Guidance to service users and examiners
- The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 sets out the process for neighbourhood planning.
- Neighbourhood development orders
- To find out more details about the commitment, resources and process involved in the preparation of a neighbourhood plan, please contact us at neighbourhood.planning@westsuffolk.gov.uk or phone 01284 757368.