Further 108 communities will pilot new neighbourhood planning powers

Communities Minister Bob Neill announced the communities which will join the 125 already piloting the plans.

The Localism Act will introduce new powers that give local communities the power to influence development in their area. Communities will be able to create 'permitted development rights' for certain activities through neighbourhood development orders.

Powers under the Act for the Secretary of State to introduce new secondary legislation implementing the neighbourhood planning regime came into force in November 2011. Further regulation is awaited and expected to come into force in April this year.

"There has been enormous interest in neighbourhood planning and the large number of communities jumping at the chance to trial these new powers demonstrates the enthusiasm people have for this local approach to planning," said Neill.

The existing 125 frontrunner communities have been preparing draft plans and ‘testing’ the principles underpinning neighbourhood planning. The local authorities of successful frontrunner projects have been given £20,000 per project to support the communities with the neighbourhood planning process.

The frontrunner pilot schemes have informed the publication of guidance (5-page / 65KB PDF) by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) on what communities can expect from their local planning authority; the costs associated with the preparation of plans and conformity with the local plan; the need for specialist and expert advice; referenda, and the presumption in favour of sustainable development.