Introduction
Since 2012, local communities have been able to produce Neighbourhood Plans for their local area putting in place planning policies for the future development and growth of their neighbourhood.
It is necessary to gain a more than 50% 'yes' vote in a public referendum to bring these plans and orders into force.
There are three elements of neighbourhood planning under the Localism Act. These are:
Neighbourhood Plans
A Neighbourhood Plan is a community-led framework for guiding the future development or growth of an area. It may contain a vision, aims, planning policies, proposals for improving an area or providing new facilities, or allocation of key sites for specific kinds of development. All Neighbourhood Plans must meet the Basic Conditions.
Neighbourhood Plans relate to the use and development of land and associated social, economic and environmental issues. It may deal with a wide range of issues (like housing, employment, heritage and transport) or it may focus on one or two issues that are of particular importance to a local area.
A Neighbourhood Plan will be subject to examination and public referendum and then form part of the Local Development Plan. This statutory status gives Neighbourhood Plans far more weight that some other local planning documents, such as parish plans, community plans and village design statements.
Neighbourhood Development Orders
A Neighbourhood Development Order is a means for parish/town councils or neighbourhood forums to grant planning permission for certain kinds of development within a specified area. These orders may apply to the whole or just part of the neighbourhood area.
Community Right to Build Orders
A Community Right to Build Order can be used to grant planning permission for development schemes, e.g. housing. Local community organisations that meet certain requirements or parish/town councils are able to prepare Community Right to Build Orders.
It is necessary to gain a more than 50% 'yes' vote in a public referendum to bring these plans and orders into force.