Neighbourhood Development Plans and Orders Explained

If you're involved with a neighbourhood forum or a parish council, you possess the authority to shape the future of your local area. You can do this by developing two distinct types of planning documents, each serving a unique purpose in guiding development.

Understanding Neighbourhood Planning Instruments:

• Neighbourhood Development Plans

  These documents establish the broad policies for how land within your neighbourhood can be developed and used. Think of them as your community's local planning framework. While they provide specific guidance for your area, it's important to remember that these plans must still align with and operate within the larger strategic development plans set by your local council.

• Neighbourhood Development Orders (NDOs)

  NDOs represent a truly innovative shift in the planning system. They empower your community to directly approve the specific types of development it desires to see. This means you can grant planning permission for projects without requiring individual planning applications. Your community can approve developments either in their entirety (a 'full' permission) or just in principle (an 'outline' permission), essentially acting as the planning authority for these projects.

For more comprehensive details on government policy concerning planning reforms and neighbourhood planning initiatives, you can consult the official documentation provided here: government policy on planning reform and neighbourhood planning.