Neighbourhood Forums & forming a neighbourhood plan group
Can you have more than 21 members in a neighbourhood forum?
Yes, 21 members is the minimum figure to form a neighbourhood forum.
Even if there is an existing community group, do you need to create a Neighbourhood Forum to create a neighbourhood plan?
Yes. It is required by the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 that a neighbourhood forum is established to enable the transfer of neighbourhood planning powers. A neighbourhood forum must meet a range of criteria including:
- Have a constitution
- Be established for the express purposes of promoting or improving the social, environmental or economic wellbeing of the area
- Open membership arrangements for people who live, work or are locally elected members for the neighbourhood area
- At least 21 members who are individuals.
Community Right to Build Orders are available to community groups without the need to create a neighbourhood forum
Can neighbourhood forums get funding?
Yes. The organisation Locality provides funding for neighbourhood forums. Further information is available on the Locality website.
How does a community organisation bring forward a Neighbourhood Plan?
A community organisation must apply for neighbourhood forum designation from the Council to produce a Neighbourhood Plan. An application form for neighbourhood forum designation is available on the Council website.
What is the balance of membership needed for a neighbourhood planning group in a parished or non-parished area?
Membership in a neighbourhood planning group is open to people who live or work in a neighbourhood area, as well as elected Members. It is helpful to have people with specialist knowledge involved in the neighbourhood plan.
Is creating a neighbourhood plan too much work for volunteers?
Neighbourhood planning is a big commitment. Strong project management and well-balanced delegation of tasks can help to spread the load of work for volunteers. Consultants can potentially help with the workload, subject to the availability of funding.
Is neighbourhood planning more for residents rather than community and voluntary groups? Do you need to be elected to make a neighbourhood plan?
Neighbourhood planning is open to people who live or work in a neighbourhood area, as well as elected Members. It may be easier to establish a neighbourhood plan group or neighbourhood forum through an existing group, such as a community organisation. Above all else, it is critical to find people who are committed and motivated, with a passion to improve their local area, in order to drive forward the preparation of a neighbourhood plan.
Share this page
