Community Led Planning
Community led planning can be undertaken by local community groups such as Parish Councils. It can take the form of a neighbourhood plan, neighbourhood development order, community right to build order, parish plan or village design statement.
Types of community led plans
Neighbourhood Plans provide the opportunity for local communities to play a greater role in determining the future of their area. A neighbourhood plan can include policies on the development and use of land in a parish or neighbourhood area. However, they cannot be used to propose a lower level of housing growth than that proposed within Local Plans. A Neighbourhood Plan should conform with planning policies and guidance in the District's Local Plan and national policy (NPPF/PPG).
Neighbourhood Development Orders follow the same process as neighbourhood plans. Whilst a neighbourhood plan sets out policies for an area, the neighbourhood development order can grant outline or full planning permission for specified development.
Community Right to Build Orders allow community groups to identify land for new, small scale development such as new homes, shops or other community facilities, and gain planning approval through public referendum rather than the local planning authority.
Parish Plans assess current and future potential issues in an area and set out a plan of action.
Village Design Statements assess the character of an area to influence the design of new development locally.
Further information, support and guidance
The RCCE has a large amount of experience supporting community groups to produce community led plans in the area. The RCCE has produced a useful neighbourhood planning guide which is available at the following location: Essex RCCE
Further background information on community led planning is available from the following sources:
- Locality
- Planning Portal
- Department of Communities and Local Government
- RTPI, Planning Aid
- The Princes Foundation
- Campaign to Protect Rural England