How to designate a neighbourhood area
How to designate a neighbourhood area
Before a community can produce a neighbourhood plan or a neighbourhood development order, the area it covers must first be formally designated as a "neighbourhood area" by us (and, where the area falls in more than one planning authority, by each of those authorities too). Designating an area is a distinct first step and doesn't commit you to anything further.
1. Confirm who can apply
An application can only come from a relevant body: a parish (or town) council, or an organisation capable of being designated as a neighbourhood forum. If your area has no parish council you'll need to set up a forum first; see How to set up a neighbourhood forum.
2. Decide your proposed boundary
Most areas follow the parish boundary, but this isn't a requirement. If your proposed area falls partly or wholly within a neighbouring authority's area, contact us before applying - several Peak District neighbourhood areas straddle a boundary, and in those cases both authorities need to designate the same area, usually through a coordinated joint application.
3. Prepare your application
Under regulation 5 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012, your application must include:
- a map showing the proposed neighbourhood area
- a statement explaining why the area is considered appropriate to be designated
- a statement explaining that your organisation is a relevant body entitled to apply
If a parish council is applying to designate the whole of its own parish, a simplified route applies under regulation 5A.
4. We publicise your application and consult
We'll publish your application on our website for a minimum six-week period (regulation 6) so that people who live, work or run a business in the area can comment.
5. We make a decision
In reaching a decision we consider things including the desirability of designating the whole of a parish area, the effect on neighbouring designated areas or existing plan boundaries, and whether the area is wholly or predominantly business in nature (which affects who counts as a relevant body).
6. What happens next
Once your area is designated, there's no expiry date on the designation itself, and your qualifying body can begin work on a neighbourhood plan or a neighbourhood development order whenever you're ready.
Where to get help
Home - Locality Neighbourhood Planning, Neighbourhood Planning | The Royal Town Planning Institute, and The King's Foundation all publish free guidance on setting up a neighbourhood area and forum. You can also contact our planning policy team directly at policy@peakdistrict.gov.uk for advice specific to the Peak District.
Please note these steps are a summary only. You should check the full requirements in the Localism Act 2011, Schedule 9 (which inserted section 61G of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990) and the The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012, regulations 5, 5A and 6.