How You Can Have A Say In Where New Homes Are Going To Be Built

You may have seen in the news or on social media that the Labour government has announced its intention to build more homes. The goal is to encourage construction to help address the housing crisis and stimulate economic growth. Naturally, this has sparked questions about how communities might change: Where will new homes be built, and what will they look like? Our homes and neighborhoods are important aspects of our lives, and these questions can be emotional, prompting many people to voice their opinions.

While the new government brings a different approach, did you know there are already ways for communities to influence how new homes are built in their areas? In this column, I want to talk about Neighbourhood Plans and how communities can use them to have a meaningful say in developments long before developers present detailed plans for consultation with local residents and councils.

What is a Neighbourhood Plan?

The Government’s website provides a clear explanation:

“Neighbourhood planning gives communities direct power to develop a shared vision for their neighborhood and shape the development and growth of their local area. It provides a set of tools for local people to plan for the types of development to meet their community’s needs, where the ambition of the neighborhood is aligned with the strategic needs and priorities of the wider local area.”

Neighbourhood Plans were introduced by the Localism Act in 2011, making it a well-established process that has been in place for over a decade.

What can a Neighbourhood Plan influence?

Neighbourhood Plans can have a significant impact. Communities have a statutory right to influence the types of development, as well as the locations and designs of new buildings. Crucially, the policies outlined in a Neighbourhood Plan take precedence over a local authority’s Local Plan when determining development permissions.

But it’s not just housing that these plans can shape. Communities can also influence the development of retail spaces, offices, and supporting infrastructure, such as GP surgeries, schools, and roads that accompany new housing developments.

How can my community create a plan?

Neighbourhood Plans can be developed by a parish or town council (if one exists), or by what’s known as a "neighbourhood forum." Interestingly, businesses and other organizations can also establish their own forums to influence changes in their areas.

Most people are familiar with parish and town councils—some of you reading this may even be councillors or work with a council. These established bodies have statutory powers to develop a Neighbourhood Plan for their area, and residents can collaborate with them to create a plan. In areas without a parish council, a neighbourhood forum would need to be created.

Simply put, a neighbourhood forum is a formally recognized group of local residents and businesses that come together around a shared vision for their community to develop a Neighbourhood Plan. The forum is established in partnership with the local authority, which helps define its boundaries and powers.

Communities can apply for grants through their council or neighbourhood forum to support their planning efforts and begin the formal process of developing a Neighbourhood Plan.

For anyone interested in starting a plan, I highly recommend visiting the Government’s neighbourhood planning page on its website. There, you can find more details about the process and see the specific steps involved. Your local authority can also provide guidance and answer questions.

Why is this important?

As a housebuilder and a member of a community that has experienced development, I believe it’s important for everyone to be aware that they can take an active and positive role in shaping the future of their area. Just like a council’s Local Plan, a Neighbourhood Plan is considered by developers early in the process when determining what to build and where. This means that the guidance in a Neighbourhood Plan can significantly influence proposals, compared to feedback given later in the planning process.

Additionally, Neighbourhood Plans provide an opportunity for communities and developers to engage with each other early on. Developers are often open to conversations about their plans. In fact, many of our team members live locally to the developments—they are part of the same community.

When communities and developers collaborate, we can create new places that truly reflect the needs and desires of the local area, while also delivering much-needed high-quality homes. Collaboration is always the best approach to achieving successful outcomes for everyone involved.

Bill Beyzade , Managing Director at Durkan Homes