Neighbourhood Development Plans (NDPs)

Community-led planning to help people shape the future of the areas in which they live

The Localism Act 2011 has encouraged communities to come together and shape the future of their local areas, through Neighbourhood Plans (NPs).

NPs are formal planning documents prepared by town and parish councils in consultation with their community. They allow local people to shape the future of the areas in which they live. They have to be in general conformity with national planning policies and the West Berkshire Local Plan.

NPs are subject to public examination and local referendum before they can be adopted as part of the Development Plan.

Developing a Neighbourhood Plan

We have produced some guidance to help and support communities wishing to develop a Neighbourhood Plan, which you can see below:

•  Neighbourhood Planning Guidance [53kb]
•  Neighbourhood Area Application [26kb]

We have a duty to support communities to develop a Neighbourhood Plan. Communities wishing to develop a Neighbourhood Plan will be asked to sign a service level agreement, which sets out how we will help and support them, upon approval of their Neighbourhood Area. 

Neighbourhood Plans in West Berkshire

You can see current Neighbourhood Plans below:

Neighbourhood Development Orders (NDO) and Community Right to Build

NDOs and the Community Right to Build give the local community more control over development.
They allow a parish council to grant planning permission for certain types of development.