Neighbourhood planning
Neighbourhood planning
Neighbourhood planning gives communities a direct say in how their area develops. A parish council, or a neighbourhood forum, can produce a neighbourhood plan or a neighbourhood development order, both of which carry legal weight in planning decisions once they've completed the full statutory process.
A neighbourhood plan sets a vision for the area and can shape where development should and shouldn't go, protect valued green spaces, and set local priorities for design or housing. A neighbourhood development order is more targeted: it grants planning permission in advance for specific types of development in specific locations, so a separate planning application isn't needed.
Neither is the only way to have a say in local planning - see our Frequently asked questions page for lighter-touch alternatives, including responding to individual planning applications, feeding into our Local Plan review, or producing a village plan.
If you'd like to take neighbourhood planning forward, the guidance below will take you through the process:
- How to designate a neighbourhood area - the first formal step for any group
- How to set up a neighbourhood forum - only needed if you don't already have a parish council
- How to produce a neighbourhood plan or How to make a neighbourhood development order
You can also see the current status of neighbourhood plans across the National Park, or check current consultations for anything open for comment right now.
If you're thinking about producing a neighbourhood plan or a neighbourhood development order, contact our planning policy team: policy@peakdistrict.gov.uk