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Neighbourhood Planning

The Localism Act 2011 introduced new powers for local communities in planning. Communities have been part of the plan making process for a long time, however the Government introduced new legislation to empower communities so that they could have a greater say in helping shape where they live and work through ‘neighbourhood planning’.

Parish Councils or community forums can develop a shared vision and planning policies through a neighbourhood plan, which once passed becomes part of the statutory development plan and is used to determine planning applications alongside the Local Plan for that neighbourhood area.

A Neighbourhood Plan should support the strategic development needs set out in the Local Plan and must address the development and use of land.

The Localism Act has also given communities the ability to grant planning permission through Neighbourhood Development Orders (NDOs). An NDO can grant planning permission for specific types of development in a specific neighbourhood area. An NDO can:

Apply to a specific site, sites, or wider geographical area;

  • Grant planning permission for a certain type or types of development; and
  • Grant planning permission outright or subject to conditions.

An NDO can be used to permit:

Building operations (e.g. structural alterations, construction, demolition or other works carried out by a builder);

  • Material changes of use of land and buildings; and/or
  • Engineering operations.

NDOs only grant planning permission, and do not remove the need to comply with other relevant legislation and regulations. NDO cannot include:

  • Development normally dealt with by a county planning authority, for example minerals and waste related development;
  • Development that requires an Environmental Impact Assessment; and
  • Development of nationally significant infrastructure projects.

Stages of neighbourhood planning

The National Planning Practice Guidance sets out the key stages of neighbourhood planning:

  • Step 1: Designate a neighbourhood area;
  • Step 2: Preparing a draft neighbourhood plan or order;
  • Step 3: Pre-submission publicity and consultation;
  • Step 4: Submission of a neighbourhood plan or order proposal to the local planning authority. At this point the proposals are published for 6 weeks and representations are invited;
  • Step 5: Independent Examination;
  • Step 6: Referendum; and
  • Step 7: Making the neighbourhood plan or order (bringing it into force)

Oldham Council's role in Neighbourhood Planning

For further information on Neighbourhood Planning the council’s role and responsibilities please see the Neighbourhood Planning Policy Statement below.

Neighbourhood Planning Policy Statement

Neighbourhood Plans in Oldham

Currently, there has been one neighbourhood area designated in Oldham. This is Saddleworth Neighbourhood Area.

The map shows the neighbourhood area in Oldham:

If you are interested in preparing a neighbourhood plan please contact a member of strategic planning on 0161 770 1670 or 8175 for more information.

For more information on Saddleworth neighbourhood area please see below.

Further Guidance on Neighbourhood Planning