Developing your Neighbourhood Plan

So you have explored the Discover section and decided that creating a Neighbourhood Plan (NP) is right for your community …
Here is the support you need to write the policies that will make up your NP - and bring it into force as a legal document.

  • What next? Starting your Neighbourhood Planning journey in Birmingham

    If you have explored the Discover section of this website, take a look at our checklist and make sure you feel ready to move on to the Develop stage.

  • Practical resources and reading materials

    Take a look at example constitutions from Neighbourhood Planning Forums in Birmingham.

    View a list of helpful links from Locality.

    Read Birmingham City Council’s Local Plan documents to see how Neighbourhood Plans fit into the wider planning context of the city.

  • Creating your Neighbourhood Plan (NP)

    Work through our 12 steps to creating an NP. They will help you understand what needs to happen, and when.

    It’s a long and challenging process but potentially very rewarding. Remember - you don’t need to know everything because help is always available.

  • Putting your NP into action

    Once your NP is brought into force, you will need to make sure it continues being implemented in your Neighbourhood Area.

    Birmingham City Council’s Neighbourhood Development and Support Unit will meet you with you regularly to help keep your NP current - learn about their support.

Develop section (list format)

  • Take a look at the checklist and make sure you feel ready

  • Read constitutions of existing Neighbourhood Planning groups

  • View Local Plan documents for Birmingham

  • Work through the 12 steps to creating a Neighbourhood Plan

  • Take advantage of advice and guidance at every stage

  • Bookmark these links and resources to keep you on track

  • Once your Neighbourhood Plan has been brought into force, be sure to review it - and respond to planning applications

  • Learn about Birmingham City Council’s internal Neighbourhood Planning Toolkit.

Help is at hand

Birmingham City Council’s Neighbourhood Development and Support Unit will support you at every stage in your Neighbourhood Planning journey.

Go to the advice and guidance page to learn more. 

Creating an NP is resource-heavy and tricky work. You’re never on your own, though, and you don’t need a planning background to make it happen.

Take a look at the advice and guidance page to learn about support available.