Neighbourhood plans

What is a neighbourhood plan?

A neighbourhood plan is a development framework guiding the future development, regeneration or conservation of an area. It is led and produced by an authorised local community organisation. Where there is no parish or town council as is the case in Salford, that organisation must be a designated neighbourhood forum.

Neighbourhood plans can:

  • identify a vision for the area
  • provide detailed planning policies setting out for example, how new development should be designed and where it should be located
  • set out proposals for improving the area or providing key facilities
  • allocate sites for different types of development

A neighbourhood plan will be subject to examination and a referendum, and once adopted will form part of the statutory development plan for Salford. As a result, neighbourhood plans carry significant weight as a consideration in determining planning applications in the city, giving the local community more influence and control over the development of their area.

There are a number of legal requirements that must be met in producing a neighbourhood plan. A neighbourhood plan must:

  • be appropriate having regard to national planning policy
  • contribute to the achievement of sustainable development
  • be in general conformity with the strategic policies in the development plan for the local area
  • be compatible with human rights requirements

In addition to the above , neighbourhood plans must be compatible with European Legislation in relation to habitats and environmental impact assessment. This is set out in the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 which remain legal requirements even though the United Kingdom has left the European Union.

Further information about neighbourhood planning is available at the links below:

This page was last updated on 13 July 2023

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