The power of neighbourhood planning

The power of neighbourhood planning

This guidance contains policy examples that show the power and scope of neighbourhood planning.
This guidance contains real-world examples from communities that have successfully used the power of neighbourhood planning in innovative ways.

We are currently updating our guidance and toolkits. This toolkit is provided for reference but has not yet been updated to reflect recent changes to planning policy. It remains useful as background information, but regularly check the neighbourhood planning page for updates to neighbourhood planning policy and guidance.

## The power of neighbourhood planning
The Power of Neighbourhood Planning A toolkit for neighbourhood planners \251 Crown copyright, 2026 Copyright in the typographical arrangement rests with the Crown. You may re- use this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence visit http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open- government - licence/version/3/ This document/publication is also available on our website at www.gov.uk/mhclg If you have any enquiries regarding this document/publication, complete the form at http://forms.communities.gov.uk/or write to us at: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Fry Building 2 Marsham Street London SW1P 4DF Telephone: 030 3444 0000 For all our latest news and updates follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mhclg April 2026 The Power of Neighbourhood Planning Neighbourhood planning is designed to provide a powerful set of tools to ensure you get the right types of development in the right place for your community. Local residents and businesses are now in a position to make planning policies that reflect your priorities, deliver tangible local benefits and have real weight in the planning system. Communities around the country are being ambitious in using this new power. There are examples of communities putting policies in place that: • capture what is distinctive about their neighbourhood • break new ground and take a new approach • address big issues like the location and scale of new development • provide for enhanced local services and infrastructure through development benefits. All the following examples are taken from plans that have been passed at examination. They are real world examples from communities like yours that have successfully used the power of neighbourhood planning in a host of innovative ways. Hopefully they can inspire you to exploit the full potential of neighbourhood planning to benefit your community. Can a neighbour hood plan designate more housing than the local authority? Yes, The Winsford Neighbourhood Plan contains the largest allocation of new housing yet - identifying room for 3,362 dwellings. When added to existing plans, this will provide 200 additional homes compared to the number contained in the emerging Cheshire West and Chester Local Plan. This was in recognition of the investment that new housing would bring, helping the town achieve its aspiration of regeneration. Can a neighbourhood plan choose where new housing should go? Yes, The Thame Neighbourhood Plan allocates 770 new homes to six sites dispersed around the town, departing from the local planning authority\222s proposal to put almost all of the housing on one site on the edge of Thame. The plan also sets out what infrastr ucture (roads, schools, community facilities, etc.) are needed to make development acceptable. Can a neighbourhood plan manage new community projects? Yes, Exeter St. James Forum produced a successful neighbourhood plan in 2013, then created a Community Trust to enable the projects identified in the plan to be turned into reality. Their first successful project was the regeneration of the Queen\222s Crescent Gar dens, and new projects include the development of sustainable homes, improving allotments and heritage walks. Can a neighbourhood plan grant planning permission for the development the community wants? Yes, The Cockermouth Neighbourhood Development Order permits the change of upper floors of shops to flats with up to four per premises. Can a neighbourhood plan protect and enhance the high street? Yes, The small town of Woburn Sands used its neighbourhood plan to support the High Street. It contains a policy to support developments and changes of use in the town centre that promote the vitality and viability of the High Street. Developments outside of th e town centre that impinge on the health of the High Street will not be permitted. Can a neighbourhood plan regenerate an inner - city neighbourhood? Yes, Heathfield Park\222s neighbourhood plan contains a range of policies specific to its inner - city location in Wolverhampton. These include policies that will improve the quality of the public spaces in the area and preserve the historic and heritage assets of the community. Can a neighbourhood plan decide how to spend Community Infrastructure (CIL)? Yes, in areas where the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) has been adopted, communities with a neighbourhood plan in place will benefit from 25% of the levy revenues arising from the development that takes place in their area. In Cringleford in Norfolk, the com munity has identified priority projects that the parish council will fund using CIL money. These include playing fields and changing facilities, an extension to the community centre, and new allotments and a community orchard. Can a neighbourhood plan choose where new industry and employment go? Yes, Arundel Neighbourhood Plan approves proposals to turn particular disused buildings into office space and also supports the development of business within the built up area boundary of the market town. The plan also encourages the use and development of Live Work Units that are especially suited to small businesses in the arts and cultural sectors, which are common to Arundel. Can a neighbourhood plan protect gaps between our towns and villages? Yes, The Ascot, Sunninghill and Sunningdale Neighbourhood Plan means that any gaps between villages should be protected to maintain the separation of the villages and to complement the landscape. Can a neighbourhood plan define and secure what makes up local heritage? Yes, The Central Milton Keynes Neighbourhood Plan explains in detail the specific features that make up the town\222s classic infrastructure. Policies support retaining this heritage while allowing flexibility for truly exceptional development. Can a neighbourhood plan protect the green spaces communities value the most? Yes, Felpham\222s neighbourhood plan protects eight areas of local green space in the Sussex seaside village. The spaces have been identified for their environmental, recreational, or historic significance to the community, and no development will be permitte d on them except in very special circumstances. These examples represent just a sample of the many policies that communities have devised to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood and shape the development and growth of their local area. Hopefully these policy examples demonstrate the power and scope of neighbourhood planning and can inspire you to take up that power and plan creatively for the future of your neighbourhood. Neighbourhood planning policies must meet certain basic c o nditions. Full details of t hese can be found here Neighbourhood planning - GOV.UK Full guidance on neighbourhood planning can be found in the government\222s planning guidance documents can be found here Planning practice guidance - GOV.UK To find more information on neighbourhood planning and other helpful neighbourhood planning toolkits , please visit Neighbourhood planning toolkits - GOV.UK