Neighbourhood planning

Find out about the neighbourhood planning process, the designated neighbourhood areas in Leeds and how to get advice.

Neighbourhood planning gives communities direct power to shape the development of their local area. They are able to choose where they want new homes, shops and offices to be built, have their say on what new buildings should look like, and grant planning permission for the new buildings they want to see go ahead. Find out more about the benefits of neighbourhood planning.

Key stages in the neighbourhood planning process

 

 

1. Designation of the neighbourhood area (and neighbourhood forum, if appropriate)1. Designation of the neighbourhood area (and neighbourhood forum, if appropriate)<div class="ExternalClass2383AA0A5ED94D0185EEE6F6C6035A4D"><p>A relevant body (parish/town council or prospective neighbourhood forum) submits an application to the council to designate a neighbourhood area. The council then publicises and consults on the area application for a minimum of 6 weeks before designating the neighbourhood area.</p><p>In an area without a town or parish council, a prospective neighbourhood forum submits an application to be the designated neighbourhood forum for a neighbourhood area. The council publicises and consults on the forum application for a minimum of six weeks before deciding whether to designate the neighbourhood forum.</p> <br> </div>
2. Draft neighbourhood plan is prepared2. Draft neighbourhood plan is prepared<div class="ExternalClass41B84C8D0D6B42CFAE1145111DCDFE1A"><p>The neighbourhood forum or parish/town council develops proposals (advised or assisted by the Council) to:</p><ul class="list list-bullet"><li>gather baseline information and evidence</li><li>engage and consult those living and working in the neighbourhood area and those with an interest in or affected by the proposals</li><li>talk to land owners and the development industry</li><li>identify and assess options</li><li>determine whether the plan is likely to have a significant environmental effect</li><li>start to prepare proposals documents</li></ul><br></div>
3. Pre-submission publicity and consultation3. Pre-submission publicity and consultation<div class="ExternalClass39DEC0F8A50B4A4DABA006A139A7F1C4"><p>The neighbourhood forum or parish/town council:</p><ul class="list list-bullet"><li>publicises the draft plan and invites representations</li><li>sends a copy of the draft plan to the council</li><li>considers consultation responses and amends plan if appropriate</li><li>prepares a consultation statement and other proposal documents</li></ul><br></div>
4. Submission of the neighbourhood plan to the council 4. Submission of the neighbourhood plan to the council <div class="ExternalClass25A8D7233A3040C7B364B40286455A2E"><p>Once the neighbourhood forum or parish/town council submits the plan to the council, we will check that it complies with all the relevant legislation. If the plan meets legal requirements, we will then:</p><ul class="list list-bullet"><li>publicise the proposal for a minimum of 6 weeks and invite representations</li><li>notify consultation bodies referred to in the consultation statement</li><li>appoint an independent examiner (with the agreement of the neighbourhood forum or parish/town council)</li></ul><br></div>
5. Independent Examination5. Independent Examination<div class="ExternalClassEFCBB4DE4CD844C797D40290FB6E36A4"><p>The council sends the plan and any representations made during step 4 to the independent examiner, who then undertakes the Examination of the plan. </p><p>The examiner issues a report detailing their findings to the council and the neighbourhood forum or parish/town council. The council then publishes the report, and makes a decision on whether to send the plan to referendum. </p><br></div>
6 and 7. Referendum and bringing the neighbourhood plan into force6 and 7. Referendum and bringing the neighbourhood plan into force<div class="ExternalClass2B95058A2882401B92526A734E5682AF"><p>Ahead of the referendum, the council publishes the information statement and notice of referendum/s. Polling then takes place, and the results are declared. </p><p>If more than half the votes are in favour of the neighbourhood plan, it then comes into force as part of the <a href="/planning/planning-policy">statutory development plan for Leeds</a>. </p> <br> </div>

Neighbourhood plans in Leeds

Map showing neighbourhood plan progress in Leeds External link

Latest updates

The following neighbourhood plans are currently out for consultation or a referendum is being held:

Advice

We have produced guidance notes to help those interested in neighbourhood planning.

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a planning charge which is used to support the development of local infrastructure, such as roads and schools. A portion of it, called the Neighbourhood Fund, is given to neighbourhood areas for projects to improve the local area. More information on how CIL is charged and what it's spent on is available from the CIL webpages.

Contact us

If you need advice on any aspect of neighbourhood planning please contact the Neighbourhood Planning Team.

Phone

0113 378 7997
(9am to 5pm)

Email

npsupport@leeds.gov.uk

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