Communities can prepare neighbourhood plans to influence the future of their areas. A Neighbourhood Plan lets people set out their vision for their local area and put in place planning policies to guide development in their neighbourhood. However, a Neighbourhood Plan must support the delivery of strategic policies set out in the Development Plan for the area, which includes the Local Plan and the London Plan. Neighbourhood plans should not promote less development than set out in the strategic policies for the area.
Neighbourhood plans can only be prepared by a designated Neighbourhood Forum within a given Neighbourhood Area. Both the area and the forum need to formally designated by the council.
Guidance on the neighbourhood planning process is available on the neighbourhood planning support page of the Neighbourhood Planning website. If you are thinking of preparing a Neighbourhood Plan in your area, please email the planning policy team to discuss your plans and timetable.