Neighbourhood planning allow local communities to lead on development and development plans in their areas. Neighbourhood planning was introduced in the government's Localism Act, and gives communities the opportunity to:

• say where they think new houses, businesses and shops should be built
• have a say on what buildings should look like
• give planning permission for new developments

Neighbourhood planning can’t be used to block the building of homes and business considered to be necessary to meet Barnsley’s future needs. However, neighbourhood plans can be used to influence the type, design, location and mix of new developments.

How to develop a neighbourhood plan

Neighbourhood planning involves creating any of the following:

• Neighbourhood Development Plan - this establishes the vision and planning policies for the use and development of land in a neighbourhood. Once adopted, a Neighbourhood Development Plan becomes part of the statutory development plan and is used alongside the National Planning Policy Framework and our Local Plan.
  
  
• Neighbourhood Development Order - this allows communities to grant planning permission for types of new developments they want to see go ahead.
  
  
• Community Right to Build Order - this is a type of Neighbourhood Development Order which gives communities the power to develop new projects, such as small scale housing or community facilities, without needing to apply for planning permission.

If an area has a parish or town council, they are the only body that can prepare a Neighbourhood Development Plan or Neighbourhood Development Order. If an area doesn't have a parish or town council, a neighbourhood forum can lead on co-ordinating neighbourhood planning. This forum could be made up from an existing community organisation or be a new group, but it must meet certain criteria and be approved by us. In all cases, the neighbourhood area boundary must be approved by us.

A Community Right to Build Order can be prepared by certain community organisations, not only the parish or town council or neighbourhood forums.

Applying for neighbourhood planning

If you’re thinking about neighbourhood planning, take a look at neighbourhood planning guidance on GOV.UK. You should also read the following documents:

• Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012
• Neighbourhood Planning Regulations (Amended) 2015
• Neighbourhood Planning Regulations (Amended) 2016

Contact us for advice before you start the application process. You may also be interested in listing assets of community value and the right to bid.

Current applications to designate a neighbourhood area

There are no current applications to designate a neighbourhood area.

Existing neighbourhood plans