What is a Neighbourhood Plan?

Neighbourhood Planning is a way for communities to have a say in the future of the places they live and work

Neighbourhood Planning was introduced in the Localism Act 2011. It is an important tool that gives statutory power to produce a plan with real legal weight that directs development in the local area. This includes where new homes, shops, offices and public spaces can be built.

In very simple terms, a neighbourhood plan is:

– A document that sets out planning policies for the neighbourhood area. Planning policies are used to decide whether to approve planning applications.
– Written by the local community, the people who know and love the area, rather than a Local Planning Authority.
– A powerful tool to ensure the community gets the right types of development, in the right place.

Our approach

This will be the UK’s first art and culture-led Neighbourhood Plan. That doesn’t mean it’s all about artists – what it means is that we think art and creativity are some of the best ways to bring people together, have conversations about the future and dream about what we want the neighbourhood to look and feel like for the people who live here.

The vibrant history and strong communities of Mabgate, Burmantofts and Lincoln Green is central to this Neighbourhood Plan. We believe creativity can be a wonderful tool for change.

Creating a Neighbourhood Plan is a long term process, and can take up to five years. We’ve tried to lay the foundations for this plan so that it doesn’t face too many challenges along the way by consulting with local residents, businesses, councillors and a wide range of stakeholders who are invested in ensuring our neighbourhood get the right kind of development, in the right place.

We’ve been based in Mabgate, Burmantofts and Lincoln Green since 2004 and we’re aware the neighbourhood is going to change a lot in the near future – it already is, we can see it. We love this neighbourhood, and want to make sure that its residents are at the forefront of how it might change.

If you’d like more information about how you could get involved you can contact us.

Other things!