Neighbourhood planning
This page provides more information about neighbourhood planning.
The Localism Act sets out a range of mechanisms to hand greater power to local councils and local communities, and give people a greater say in decisions that affect their neighbourhoods, including:
- Neighbourhood development plans.
- Neighbourhood development orders.
- Community right to build orders.
Provisions in the Localism Act come into force in April 2012.
Neighbourhood planning is optional, but can enable communities to become more actively involved in how development happens in their local area.
Neighbourhood development plans
Neighbourhood development plans are voluntary local planning policy documents, written and developed by the community. The Council has prepared a Frequently Asked Questions document which is available to download below.
Neighbourhood Development Plans Frequently Asked Questions (PDF document [98Kb])
Neighbourhood development orders and community right to build orders
Neighbourhood development orders and community right to build orders are mechanisms by which communities can allow particular development or types of development to go ahead without the need for planning permission:
- Neighbourhood development orders would directly grant permission for certain specified types of development.
- Community right to build orders would enable small scale, site specific development without the need for a planning application.
What will the Council do to help?
The Council will provide information and assistance to local communities who are interested in neighbourhood planning. This will include:
- Advising on the neighbourhood planning process.
- Sharing information and evidence.
- Helping with consultation events, and helping communicate with external partners.
- Providing advice on evidence, assessments/appraisal and the national and local policy framework.
A range of material is also available to download at the bottom of this page, including presentations from the Neighbourhood Planning Seminar held on 21 March 2012.
Contact
If you are thinking about preparing a neighbourhood development plan, we would like to talk to you! Please contact the Policy Team:
- LDF@reigate-banstead.gov.uk
- 01737 276000
Other resources
Neighbourhood Planning Seminar 21 March 2012
- An introduction to neighbourhood planning (PDF document [175.3Kb]) (pdf)
- An introduction to the Bookham Vanguard (PDF document [448.8Kb]) (pdf)
- Bookham Vanguard: experiences of the Start Up Group (PDF document [517.3Kb]) (pdf)
- Bookham Vanguard: A Councillor’s View (PDF document [161.9Kb]) (pdf)
- Pointers for neighbourhood planning in Reigate & Banstead (PDF document [170.6Kb]) (pdf)
General guidance on neighbourhood planning
Evidence and information
- Reigate & Banstead Local Development Framework evidence base
- Office of National Statistics website
- Neighbourhood Statistics website
Community support organisations
- The Prince’s Foundation website
- CPRE/NALC ‘Planning Help’ website
- Locality website
- Planning Aid website
Last updated : 03/05/2012
