The Localism Act enables communities to produce their own formal plans for a defined area (the neighbourhood area) under the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012.

Neighbourhood plans are prepared by the community and set out local planning policies in relation to that area. They have to be in line with national and local planning policy, have to be independently examined and then voted upon in a local referendum as to whether or not they should be formally adopted. More information can be found on our 'Planning policy' pages.