Agreeing the neighbourhood area and the group that will produce the neighbourhood plan
Neighbourhood area
Parish councils, or local groups in unparished areas, should submit an application for the designation of a neighbourhood area to the Council. This should include:
- a plan and statement identifying the land to which the neighbourhood plan will relate;
- a statement explaining why this area is considered appropriate to be designated as a neighbourhood area;
- a statement explaining why the group is capable of being the ‘qualifying body’ to produce the neighbourhood plan; and
- contact details for the group.
The Council will consider the application, and determine whether it meets the requirements. For proposals that do not match an existing parish area, the Council will consult the public and interested parties on the application as part of the determination process.
Parish councils and neighbourhood forums
Parish councils will usually take the lead in progressing the development of neighbourhood plans. In areas not administered by a parish council, community groups can apply to the Council to be designated as a neighbourhood forum, allowing them to produce a neighbourhood plan. A neighbourhood forum must contain a cross-section of the population and comprise a minimum of 21 people. The application to the Council must contain:
- the name of the neighbourhood forum;
- a plan and statement identifying the land to which the neighbourhood plan relates;
- contact details of at least one member of the group;
- a copy of the written constitution of the proposed neighbourhood forum; and
- a statement explaining why the group is capable of being the ‘qualifying body’ to carry out the neighbourhood plan.
Once an application is received, from either a parish council or community group, Bassetlaw District Council will publish on its website a statement setting out:
- the name and coverage of the proposed neighbourhood forum;
- the contact details of at least one member of the organisation or body making the application;
- the date on which the application was received; and
- a statement that any other application for the relevant neighbourhood area, after the first application to be accepted, must be received by Bassetlaw District Council no later than 28 days after the date on which the above information was first published on their website in relation to the first application accepted.
Last Updated on Thursday, June 13, 2024