How to set up a neighbourhood forum

How to set up a neighbourhood forum

A neighbourhood forum is the alternative to a parish council as the "qualifying body" that can apply to designate a neighbourhood area and go on to produce a neighbourhood plan or development order.

Setting up a forum is a separate legal step from designating a neighbourhood area. You can apply for both at the same time, or one after the other.

1. Check your organisation meets the conditions

Under section 61F(5) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, your group must:

• be established for the express purpose of promoting or improving the social, economic and environmental well-being of the area
• have a membership open to individuals who live, work or are elected members in the neighbourhood area concerned
• have at least 21 members who meet one of those criteria
• have a written constitution

2. Prepare and submit your application

Under regulation 8 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012, your application must include:

• the name of the proposed forum
• a copy of its written constitution
• the name of the neighbourhood area and a map identifying it
• contact details for at least one member (these will be made public)
• a statement explaining how your forum meets the conditions above

3. We publicise your application and consult

We'll publish your application on our website for a minimum six-week period (regulation 9).

4. We make a decision

If more than one group applies to be the forum for the same area, we have to decide which is most appropriate, having regard to how far its membership reflects the character of the area and how inclusive it is. Officers are happy to talk this through with you before you apply.

5. Keep track of your renewal date

A forum designation lasts for a maximum of five years from the date it's made. If you want to keep operating as the qualifying body beyond that (including partway through preparing a plan) you'll need to apply for redesignation before the current one lapses. It's worth building this date into your project timeline from the outset.

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 8 and 9.