£23 million fund for neighbourhood planning

The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government has announced that more English communities will have free access to expert advice and guidance to help make their neighbourhood vision a reality.

Delivered by Locality and Groundwork, the £23 million fund will help local groups to develop a neighbourhood plan that allow 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.

According to the government, more than 2,300 communities across England have started the process of neighbourhood planning, with 530 plans approved in local referendums.

Dominic Raab, Housing and Planning Minister, said: “Neighbourhood plans are a powerful tool to help communities shape their local area, making sure the right homes are built in the right places. It’s vital that communities have the right support and advice available to help deliver a plan that meets their own ambitious aspirations. That’s why I’m making £23 million available that will help more groups to do this.”