Neighbourhood Forums & forming a neighbourhood plan group
Even if there is an existing community group, do you need to create a Neighbourhood Forum to create a neighbourhood plan?
Yes. It is required by the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 that a neighbourhood forum is established to enable the transfer of neighbourhood planning powers. A neighbourhood forum must meet a range of criteria including:
- Have a constitution
- Be established for the express purposes of promoting or improving the social, environmental or economic wellbeing of the area
- Open membership arrangements for people who live, work or are locally elected members for the neighbourhood area
- At least 21 members who are individuals.
Community Right to Build Orders are available to community groups without the need to create a neighbourhood forum