Who can prepare a neighbourhood plan
The production of a neighbourhood plan is the responsibility of a parish council or a neighbourhood forum acting as the qualifying body, but also requires support from the local community in the preparation of the plan. Local Planning Authorities have a statutory duty to help local communities as set out in the Neighbourhood Planning (General Regulations) 2012 regulations and are responsible for leading the Plan from submission through to the making of the Plan.
The stages in preparing a neighbourhood plan
You can download our neighbourhood plan toolkit below for our full complete guide.
1. Designation of a neighbourhood area
Before creating a neighbourhood plan, the area must first be officially designated as a neighbourhood area. A qualifying body—as detailed above —must apply for this designation.
The neighbourhood area can cover a whole parish, part of a parish, or multiple parishes in South Cambridgeshire; in Cambridge, it can be a ward, part of a ward, or multiple wards. The process and timeline for designation vary depending on the area.
2. Designation of a neighbourhood forum
In South Cambridgeshire, this is usually the parish council, unless the area only has a parish meeting, in which case a neighbourhood forum must be designated.
In Cambridge, a neighbourhood forum is always required and must consist of at least 21 people from the community, with a written constitution.
The proposed forum must apply to the Local Planning Authority for formal designation, which involves a structured approval process.
3. Preparing the neighbourhood plan
Once a neighbourhood area is designated, the qualifying body and community volunteers can begin preparing the neighbourhood plan.
Early steps include deciding on the plan’s focus, gathering evidence, reviewing existing planning documents, engaging with the community, and analysing local data.
The plan should clearly outline a vision, objectives, policies with justification, and community aspirations. A ‘Health Check’ by an independent consultant is recommended before finalising the draft.
4. Pre-Submission (Regulation 14) Public Consultation
Once the neighbourhood plan and supporting documents are drafted, the qualifying body must approve the pre-submission version.
A formal public consultation must then be held for at least 6 weeks, with required consultees notified. Feedback from this consultation helps to identify any necessary changes to the plan’s policies.
5. Submission (Regulation 15) and Submission (Regulation 16) Public Consultation
After reviewing consultation feedback and making any necessary changes, the qualifying body can formally submit the neighbourhood plan to the Local Planning Authority.
The submission must include a Consultation Statement (detailing engagement and responses to feedback) and a Basic Conditions Statement (showing how legal requirements have been met).
The Local Planning Authority then conducts a 6-week public consultation, and all comments received are passed to the independent examiner.
6. Examination
The neighbourhood plan is examined by an independent examiner, appointed by the Local Planning Authority in consultation with the qualifying body. Most examinations are conducted through written representations.
The examiner assesses whether the plan meets the basic conditions and issues a report recommending any necessary modifications. The Local Planning Authority then decides whether to accept these recommendations and publish a formal decision statement confirming if the plan can proceed to referendum.
7. Referendum
The Local Authority organises the referendum, giving the local community the chance to vote on whether the modified neighbourhood plan should be used in planning decisions. If more than half vote in favour, the plan is approved.
8. Making (adopting) the neighbourhood plan
Following a successful referendum, the neighbourhood plan is made (adopted) by the Local Planning Authority and the neighbourhood plan becomes part of the statutory development plan for the area. This will have the same status as the adopted local plan in determining planning application.
9. Implementing, monitoring and reviewing a neighbourhood plan
It's recommended that neighbourhood plans are monitored and reviewed to assess their effectiveness and relevance.
Plans may be revised to reflect changing needs or improve policy effectiveness, and the decision to review lies with the neighbourhood plan group.