What is a Neighbourhood Plan?
A neighbourhood plan is a planning document created by local people. It helps decide how an area should grow and change in the future.
Most neighbourhood plans are prepared by a town or parish council with help from local people and volunteers.
Once a neighbourhood plan is approved, we use it alongside the Cornwall Local Plan when making decisions on planning applications.
Why are they important?
Neighbourhood plans allow you to produce planning policies for development in your local area. A neighbourhood plan helps local people have a say about:
Where new homes should be built
Where new shops, businesses and community buildings should go
What new development should look like
What local places and green spaces should be protected
Neighbourhood planning gives communities a chance to help shape the future of their area.
Creating a neighbourhood plan is optional. You do not have to prepare one.
Before starting think about:
What is important in your area?
What changes would you like to see?
What would make your community a better place to live, work and visit?
A Neighbourhood plan must:
Follow national and local planning policies
Support sustainable development
Meet legal planning requirements
A neighbourhood plan does not stop development. Instead it helps to make sure new development is in the right place and benefits the local community.
How long does it take to create one?
Most neighbourhood plans take at least 2 years to prepare. Some can take 5 years or more.
This is because communities need time to collect evidence, talk to local people and prepare planning policies.
We offer advice and support throughout the process including help on deciding whether it is the right option for your area, help with policy writing and evidence gathering.
If you would like to discuss a neighbourhood plan contact us at neighbourhoodplanning@cornwall.gov.uk.
The Government has produced a step-by-step toolkit to help communities create a neighbourhood plan. We have also produced a simple guide to the different stages of the process and information about writing planning policies.
Neighbourhood planning toolkit
Preparing a neighbourhood plan
What is a Neighbourhood Development Order?
A neighbourhood development order (NDO) is a special type of planning permission.
It allows certain types of development to go ahead in a neighbourhood area without needing a separate planning application.
An NDO can set rules about:
Where development can take place
What buildings should look like
The conditions that must be met before development starts
Why are they important?
A neighbourhood development order can:
Make the planning process quicker
Give developers and communities more certainty
Support housing, jobs and regeneration projects
Help bring forward development that benefits local people
How long does it take to create one?
Creating a neighbourhood development order is similar to preparing a neighbourhood plan.
The process involves community consultation, an independent examiner and a local vote.
We can provide advice and support throughout the process. We also pay for the examination and referendum.
The Government provides guidance and toolkits to help communities prepare a neighbourhood development order. We have also produced a simple guide to the stages of the neighbourhood planning process. Our content and policies page explains how to write neighbourhood planning policies.
Neighbourhood planning toolkit
Preparing a neighbourhood plan
What is a Neighbourhood Priorities Statement?
A neighbourhood priorities statement (NPS) is a simple document that lets local people have a real say in how their area grows and develops - without needing to prepare a full neighbourhood plan. It is easier and quicker to prepare than a full neighbourhood plan.
It's a chance for you to tell us what matters most to you:
Where new homes or development should go
What local facilities or infrastructure need improving
Which green spaces, views, heritage sites or landscapes deserve protection
Issues that matter to local people
By gathering local knowledge, an statement helps ensure that any new development is well-designed, benefits your community and enhances the character of the area.
Why is it important?
Not everyone has the time or resources to help to create a full neighbourhood plan. A statement offers a much more accessible and streamlined alternative. It still gives communities a strong voice and is a great way to have an early say on future growth in Cornwall.
We will use these statements to help prepare future planning policies in the next Cornwall Local Plan. That means your views can help to shape the planning polices that will guide development across the county for the next 20 years.
How long does it take to create one?
Most neighbourhood priorities statements can be completed in around 6 months.
The process is simple and does not require:
An independent examination
Environmental screening
A referendum
This makes it a quick and easy way for communities to have their say on the future of their area.