How to produce a neighbourhood plan
Getting Started
1. Set up a qualifying body - usually your parish council, or a neighbourhood forum if there isn't one (see how to set up a neighbourhood forum)
2. Apply to us to have your neighbourhood area designated (see how to designate a neighbourhood area)
Preparing your plan
3. Decide the scope, content and vision for your plan
4. Draw up a project plan
5. Involve people - local partners and community engagement
6. Research and gather evidence, and understand how your plan fits with the wider Local Plan
7. Develop your options - aims, policies, proposals or site allocations
8. Prepare your draft plan
The formal process
9. Make sure your plan meets the basic conditions - including, since 2026, that it helps address climate change, has regard to any local nature recovery strategy, and doesn't result in less housing being provided than the Local Plan would deliver without it
10. Carry out pre-submission consultation
11. Submit your plan to us
12. We check it conforms with national and strategic policy
13. We publicise it
14. Independent examination
15. Referendum, run by the district or borough council
16. If more than half of those voting say yes, we bring the plan into force
Where to get help
Neighbourhood planning - GOV.UK