Neighbourhood Plan Process

Step One - Designation of Neighbourhood Area

• The Qualifying Body (Parish Council) submits an application to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) to designate a neighbourhood area
• The LPA publicises and consults on the area application for a minimum of 6 weeks
• The LPA designates a neighbourhood area within the statutory timescales

Step Two - Preparation of Draft Neighbourhood Plan

The Qualifying Body develops proposals (advised or assisted by the LPA):

• gather baseline information and evidence
• engage and consult those living and working in the neighbourhood area and those with an interest in or affected by the proposals (e.g. service providers)
• talk to land owners and the development industry
• identify and assess options
• determine whether a plan is likely to have significant environmental effect
• start to prepare proposals documents e.g. basic conditions statement

Step Three - Pre-submission Publicity and Consultation

The Qualifying Body:

• publicises the draft plan and invites representations
• consults the consultation bodies as appropriate
• sends a copy of the draft plan to the LPA
• where European Obligations apply, complies with relevant publicity and consultation requirements
• considers consultation responses and amends plan if appropriate
• prepares consultation statement and other proposal documents

Step Four - Submission of a Neighbourhood Plan Proposal to the LPA

• Qualifying Body submits the plan proposal to the LPA
• LPA checks that submitted proposal complies with all relevant legislation
• If the LPA finds that the plan or order meets the legal requirements it:
  • publicises the proposal for minimum 6 weeks and invites representations
  • notifies consultation bodies referred to in the consultation statement
  • appoints an Independent Examiner (with the agreement of the Qualifying Body)

Step Five - Independent Examination

• LPA sends plan proposal and representation to the Independent Examiner
• Independent Examiner undertakes examination
• Independent Examiner issues a report to the LPA and Qualifying Body
• LPA publishes report
• LPA considers report and reaches own view
• LPA takes the decision on whether to send the plan to referendum

Step Six - Referendum

• relevant council publishes information statement
• relevant council publishes notice of referendum
• polling takes place
• results declared

Step Seven - Making the Neighbourhood Plan (bringing it into force)

• subject to referendum results the LPA considers plan in relation to EU Obligations and Convention Rights
• If the plan is compatible with EU Obligations and does not breach Convention Rights – the LPA makes the plan