Glossary
Neighbourhood Plans and their weight in London boroughs
A community-led plan that, once approved at referendum, carries legal weight in planning decisions.
A community-led plan that, once approved at referendum, carries legal weight in planning decisions.
A neighbourhood plan is a development plan document prepared by a parish council or designated neighbourhood forum, examined independently and adopted after a local referendum won on a simple majority. Once made it forms part of the statutory development plan and carries the same weight as the borough's local plan.
A qualifying body is designated, the plan is drafted and consulted on for six weeks, submitted to the local authority, examined by an independent examiner, then put to referendum. A simple majority of those voting brings it into force, and the authority must then make it part of the development plan.
In London, neighbourhood forums rather than parish councils are the usual vehicle. Areas such as Highgate, Fortune Green and West Hampstead, and Kentish Town have made plans that bite on householder applications.
Design codes, materials palettes, roof forms, boundary treatments, protection of local views and non-designated heritage assets, and in some cases specific policies on basements or extensions. It cannot plan for less development than the strategic policies of the local plan require.
For a householder scheme the practical effect is a second design document to satisfy — and one that is often more specific than the borough's own guidance.
No. Where policies conflict, the more recently adopted one prevails. In practice the plans are read together, and a neighbourhood plan policy that is more detailed on a point usually carries the argument.
How neighbourhood plan plays out in Westminster: City of Westminster (Westminster City Council) maintains 56 conservation areas, the Mayfair Conservation Area and the Belgravia Conservation Area among them, and an Article 4 direction is in force there, so permitted development cannot be assumed. Anyone dealing with neighbourhood plan at a Westminster address is therefore working to a £548 householder application decided in 8 weeks, or a £249 prior approval over 6 weeks where neighbourhood plan still qualifies.
| Legal status | Part of the statutory development plan |
|---|---|
| Prepared by | Parish council or neighbourhood forum |
| Consultation | 6 weeks pre-submission |
| Adoption test | Simple majority at referendum |
| Conflict rule | Most recently adopted policy prevails |
| Typical London vehicle | Designated neighbourhood forum |
It can. Design and materials policies in a made plan apply to householder applications.
The borough publishes designated neighbourhood areas and made plans on its planning policy pages.
No. It cannot plan for less growth than the strategic policies require.
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