Posted 02.03.15
Housing and Planning Minister Brandon Lewis has announced a multi-million pound boost to support communities looking to set up neighbourhood plans.
Neighbourhood planning allows people to decide the future development of their area, including where new homes and businesses should be built.
Nearly 1,400 areas representing 6 million people across England are already using their neighbourhood planning powers, with others looking to follow suit.
Neighbourhood planning groups are now able to apply for grant funding as part of a £22.5 million programme. Grants can be used to pay for events to engage the local community, print leaflets and to pay for specialist planning expertise.
The support programme runs to 2018 and from April it will also provide community groups with technical assistance and expert advice to support new neighbourhood plans and neighbourhood development orders, throughout the process.
It comes as ministers are due to host a national neighbourhood planning summit, bringing together local authorities, MPs, builders, and communities from across the country to help more people bring forward neighbourhood plans.
