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Neighbourhood Planning Background Information

Neighbourhood planning was introduced by the Localism Act 2011 (amending the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 ) as a tool for local people and businesses to shape the development and growth of their local area. Through neighbourhood planning, communities are able to choose where new homes, shops and offices should be built, have their say on what infrastructure should be provided, and grant planning permission for new buildings they want in their area.

Local Councils (including Town, Parish and Village Councils) are responsible for neighbourhood planning in their administrative areas. In areas without a Local Council, local people and businesses can form Neighbourhood Forums which become the designated body for neighbourhood planning in their area.

Local Councils and Neighbourhood Forums have the power to produce a Neighbourhood Development Plan for their neighbourhood area which sets out general planning policies for development and the use of land and is used to determine planning applications in the neighbourhood area. Local Councils and Neighbourhood Forums can also produce Neighbourhood Development Orders which can grant planning permission for certain types of development in the neighbourhood area without the need for a traditional planning application.

The first stage in Neighbourhood Planning is to designate the neighbourhood area. The Local Council or a group suitable of becoming a designated Neighbourhood Forum must submit a neighbourhood area application to Basildon Borough Council for consideration and approval. This is in accordance with regulation 5 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended). A neighbourhood area application must include the following:

  • A map which identifies the area to which the area application relates.
  • A statement explaining why this area is considered appropriate to be designated as a neighbourhood area.
  • A statement that the organisation or body making the area application is a relevant body for the purposes of section 61G of the 1990 Act.

The next stage in Neighbourhood Planning is to designate the Neighbourhood Forum where the neighbourhood area is in a non-parish ed area. The proposing body/organisation must submit a neighbourhood forum application to Basildon Borough Council for consideration and approval. This is in accordance with regulation 8 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended). A neighbourhood forum application must include the following:

  • The name of the proposed neighbourhood forum.
  • A copy of the written constitution of the proposed neighbourhood forum.
  • The name of the neighbourhood are to which the application relates and a map which identifies the area.
  • The contact details of at least one member of the proposed neighbourhood forum to be made public under regulations 9 and 10.
  • A statement which explains how the proposed neighbourhood forum meets the conditions contained in section 61F.

Once a neighbourhood area and neighbourhood forum (where required) has been designated the Local Council or designated Neighbourhood Forum can begin preparing a Neighbourhood Development Plan or Neighbourhood Development Orders. If you are interested in neighbourhood planning in your area and would like to find out more information please contact the Planning Policy Team.

Further information