Groundwork is working with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to deliver the Neighbourhood Planning programme that helps local groups to develop a neighbourhood plan.


Neighbourhood Planning was introduced in the Localism Act 2011. It is an important and powerful tool that gives communities statutory powers to shape how their communities develop.

These plans give local people a say in the development of their area, including where homes, schools, and businesses should be built, how they should look and what infrastructure is needed to support them.

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 the Local Planning Authority.
  • A powerful tool to ensure the community gets the right types of development, in the right place.

Community groups can access a range of free help including financial support and latest planning expertise from trained professionals, to guide them through the process of preparing a neighbourhood plan.

Groundwork UK’s commitment to safeguarding:

Read about our commitment to safeguarding when awarding grants.