Before you can prepare a neighbourhood plan, you must apply to designate a neighbourhood area.
This page explains our local requirements. It should be read alongside national guidance.
National guidance
Detailed step-by-step advice on neighbourhood planning is provided in the Government's national toolkits. These explain the full process including defining areas, engaging communities and preparing evidence.
Neighbourhood planning toolkit
These toolkits provide comprehesive best practice guidance and should be used alongside our local requirements which are set out below.
Who can apply
Applications for neighbourhood area designation can be made by:
A parish or town council
What you need to submit
To apply you must provide:
A completed designation letter
Including a statement why the area is appropriate
A map showing the proposed boundary
Where possible the neighbourhood area should follow the parish boundaries.
If your proposal matches a parish boundary, we can usually determine the application quickly
If it differs (for example covers multiple parishes), we must carry out a consultation (minimum 6 weeks)
You must submit a map that:
Clearly shows the boundary of the proposed neighbourhood area
Is legible and suitable for publication
If you need help producing a map, contact us at neighbourhoodplanning@cornwall.gov.uk