Neighbourhood Planning

IMPORTANT INFORMATION - Levelling Up and Regenration Act, 25 March 2026

The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act (LURA) which came into force on 25 March 2026.and will have some implications for Neighbourhodo Plans that are submitted to the Council for examination

Sections 98 and 99 of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act (LURA) 2023, which were commenced by regulations laid on 3 March 2026 and came into force on 25 March 2026, make significant changes to the legal framework for neighbourhood planning in England.

These sections amend the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, focusing on the content of neighbourhood plans and their "basic conditions".

The LURA makes the following amendments:

Section 98: Contents of a Neighbourhood Development Plan

• Expands Content Scope: Clarifies and expands what policies can be included, specifically allowing policies relating to the amount, type, location, and timetable of development.
• Infrastructure and Design: Enables neighbourhood plans to include detailed infrastructure requirements, affordable housing requirements, and design requirements.
• Climate Change and Nature: Introduces requirements for neighbourhood plans to contribute to the mitigation of and adaptation to climate change, and to take account of local nature recovery strategies (LNRS).
• Alignment with National Policy: Specifies that neighbourhood plans must not be inconsistent with or repeat any National Development Management Policies (NDMPs).

Section 99: Neighbourhood Development Plans and Orders: Basic Conditions

• Preventing Obstruction: Stipulates that neighbourhood plans cannot hinder, prevent, or reduce the housing delivery set out in Local Plans.
• Stricter Conformity Test: Replaces the "general conformity" test with a stricter requirement ensuring plans do not conflict with strategic planning.
• Environmental Reports: Mandates that plans comply with Environmental Outcomes Reports (EORs).

As of April 2026 the Council has Neighbourhood Plans that will need amendments the the Basic Conditions Statements. We can advise communities on the changes that are required and have been liaising with planning advisors and examiners to ensure the transition is as seamless as possible

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM LOCALITY JUNE 2025 

**IMPORTANT NOTICE**

MHCLG has informed us that, as a result of the spending review, they cannot proceed with commissioning new neighbourhood planning support services for 2025 onwards. Unfortunately, this means that we cannot open to applications for new grants or technical support. We are able to complete all technical support packages agreed by MHCLG by the end of March 2025 and we have until the end of March 2026 to do so depending on the timetable for each package.