Neighbourhood planning

Overview of Neighbourhood Planning

What is Neighbourhood Planning?

The Localism Act 2011 introduced significant reforms to the planning system, empowering local communities with new rights and responsibilities to shape their own areas through a process known as Neighbourhood Planning.  

Neighbourhood Planning is a process that allows local communities to shape, guide and deliver sustainable development and future growth within their area. It gives residents, businesses and other stakeholders the power to create a shared vision and objectives for their neighbourhood, providing them with the opportunity to influence decisions about land use, such as housing, infrastructure and local green spaces.  

Preparing a neighbourhood plan is entirely voluntary and is initiated by the local community. These plans can establish policies for land use and development, but they must align with the broader strategic policies for the area. Neighbourhood plans cannot undermine these overarching policies or promote less development than what is outlined in the local plan.  

Westmorland and Furness Guidance and Resources 

Neighbourhood Planning Guide (PDF / 15MB) - A comprehensive guide aimed at helping communities decide whether to get involved in neighbourhood planning and to help them prepare a neighbourhoood plan.

Service Level Agreement (PDF / 344KB)  - Designed to outline and confirm the working relationship between the relevant local neighbourhood planning body and the Council.  

We will expect any parish council, town council or proposed neighbourhood forum to enter into a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the Council once designated. A completed and signed SLA will ensure that both parties are clear about their responsibilities when producing a neighbourhood plan.    

This agreement will set out the Council’s statutory duties and the additional support it will provide to communities producing a neighbourhood plan. The Council will cover the costs of the Council-run statutory consultations, independent examination and the referendum.  

The Agreement must be entered into once the relevant local body has committed to preparing a Neighbourhood Plan. 

Templates and other guidance

The following templates / guidance may assist in the plan-making process:

Strategic Environment Assessment Screening Opinion Questionnaire (PDF / 137KB) - Complete the questions in the form regarding the Neighbourhood Plan to enable the Council to draft a Screening Opinion.

Non-Designated Heritage Assessment Guidance (PDF / 2.2MB) - Provides guidance and a template to assist communities wishing to assess non-designated heritage assets.

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)

Please note that, within the former South Lakeland District Council planning authority area, a Community Infrastructure Levy  is charged on new development above a certain size. Typically, 15% of CIL funds are passed to town or parish councils for them to decide how to spend on local infrastructure projects. However, where there is an adopted Neighbourhood Plan, the portion paid to town or parish councils increases to 25%. For further information, please visit our Cummunity Infrastructure Levy webpage.

Funding support

The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government have made grant funding available to support the development of neighbourhood plans and neighbourhood development orders.

The Locality Neighbourhood Planning website includes information on grant availability and eligibility criteria.

Grant funding provided by Locality can be used to hire independent consultants who can offer expert guidance throughout the neighbourhood planning process in addition to the support offered by the Council.

There are also other bodies often willing to support community groups, depending on the objectives, including the National Lottery Community Fund. 

Other technical support

In addition to funding, neighbourhood planning groups are eligible to apply for technical support packages from Locality and their delivery partners. This free support will reflect a clearly defined brief, such as producing a design guide, a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), evidence review or site assessment.  

There are several valuable resources available to help guide the development of your neighbourhood planning forum and neighbourhood area. These include: 

• The Neighbourhood Planning Forum offers a platform for advice and shared experiences.
• RTPI’s Planning Aid England, which provides free and independent planning advice. Explore their resources at Planning Aid and learn more about neighbourhood planning on the RTPI website. 
• Planning Practice Guidance offers official guidance on neighbourhood planning.

Neighbourhood Plans in Westmorland and Furness

Information on the status of Neighbourhood Plans across our local planning authority area is currently available on our legacy websites. Please use the following links to access information on our Neighbourhood Plans in the former Eden and South Lakeland districts (please note there is currently no neighbourhood planning activity in the former Barrow borough):