Neighbourhood Plans

What They Are

Neighbourhood plans are prepared by parish councils or neighbourhood forums and, once adopted (made), become part of the statutory development plan. They must be in general conformity with the strategic policies of the Local Plan and with the NPPF.

Legal Weight

A made neighbourhood plan carries full weight in planning decisions — the same weight as the Local Plan. Emerging neighbourhood plans carry increasing weight as they progress through examination and referendum.

What They Can Do

Neighbourhood plans can allocate sites for development, set design policies, protect local green spaces, establish locally specific development management policies, and identify community facilities to be protected. They cannot promote less development than set out in the Local Plan's strategic policies.

Impact on Applications

Always check whether a neighbourhood plan is in force for the area. Neighbourhood plan policies are assessed alongside Local Plan policies in the planning balance. Where there is conflict, the most recent plan takes precedence (unless one is strategic and the other is not).

Practical Tips

The LPA's website or Planning Practice Guidance will confirm whether a neighbourhood plan is made, at examination, or designated. Give neighbourhood plan policies explicit attention in your planning statement — ignoring them is a common cause of refusal.

Related Topics: Development Plan, Local Plan, Community Engagement