Communities have powers to help shape development in their areas through Neighbourhood Planning; a right introduced through the Localism Act 2011. Communities can prepare:
- Neighbourhood Development Plans;
- Neighbourhood Development Orders; and
- Community Right to Build Orders.
Who can undertake Neighbourhood Planning?
If there’s a parish or town council, that is the only body that can lead on neighbourhood planning. If there isn’t a parish or town council, then a community group known as a neighbourhood forum needs to be established. The Localism Act recognises that not all communities are residential in nature and in non-parished areas that are predominately commercial a business-led neighbourhood forum can be established.
The parish or town council, or neighbourhood forum, needs to apply to Burnley Council to have an area designated as a neighbourhood area. An application form is available to download below.
The preparation of a Community Right to Build order is a slightly different process in that it requires the formation of a constituted community group rather than a neighbourhood forum. Parish and town councils can also lead on Community Right to Build Orders.
Neighbourhood Planning Tools
A Neighbourhood Development Plan sets out the (additional) policies against which planning applications are assessed. Neighbourhood Development Plans become part of the statutory ‘development plan’ for the area, which means that the policies and proposals contained within them will be used in the determination of planning applications. A neighbourhood plan should support the strategic development needs set out in the Local Plan and plan positively to support local development.
A Neighbourhood Development Order can grant planning permission for specified developments in a neighbourhood area. Once established there would be no need for anyone to apply to the council for planning permission if it is for the type of development covered by the order.
A Community Right to Build Order is a type of Neighbourhood Development Order in that it grants planning permission for types of development that communities want to see in their area. As well as housing, this includes other amenities for the benefit of local people such as a community building or playground.
Guidance
We offer support to groups that are deciding to prepare a neighbourhood plan. If you would like to discuss your plan, contact us by email (localplan@burnley.gov.uk) to book a meeting or to talk with us over the phone.
Neighbourhood Plans in Burnley
Worsthorne with Hurstwood
In December 2016, Worsthorne with Hurstwood Parish Council submitted a formal written notification to Burnley Council stating its intention to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan.
On 31 March 2017, the Head of Regeneration and Planning Policy approved the application for the Parish Council area for Worsthorne with Hurstwood to be designated as a Neighbourhood Area for the purposes of Neighbourhood Planning.
The public notice confirming the designation can be can be downloaded below. You can also download the following documents:
- Neighbourhood Area Submission Letter – Worsthorne with Hurstwood Parish Council
- Neighbourhood Area Application Form – Worsthorne with Hurstwwod Parish Council
Following a successful referendum on 4 November 2025, Full Council resolved to make (adopt) the Neighbourhood Plan at it’s meeting on 3 December 2025. Further details can be found on the Worsthorne with Hurstwood Neighbourhood Plan page
Useful Information
Funding
Following the 2025 Spending Review future funding for Neighbourhood Planning has been withdrawn. Locality, who were commissioned by the Government to deliver the support programme, have released the following statement on their website:
“MHCLG has informed us that, because of the spending review, they cannot proceed with commissioning new neighbourhood planning support services for 2025 onwards. Unfortunately, this means that we cannot receive applications for new grants or technical support. We will complete all technical support packages agreed by MHCLG by the end of March 2025, and we have until the end of March 2026 to do so, depending on the timetable for each package. We want to thank you for the role you have played as a neighbourhood planning champion in promoting the value of neighbourhood planning and supporting groups in developing neighbourhood development plans or thinking about what is right for them. Neighbourhood planning is an undeniable success, with over 2,400 communities having initiated neighbourhood plans and more than 1,000 plans having been successful at referendum. We are proud to have worked with you and supported so many groups through the process. We know it will be difficult for some groups to progress their plans in light of this news, and unfortunately, we are not able to support the Champions Network and other learning and development opportunities from now on. We wish you all the best for the future and again thank you for everything you have done.”
Neighbourhood Planning Guidance
Simplified and accessible national planning practice guidance is now available through this online resource. It includes a section on neighbourhood planning.
The government intends that the user friendly format will make planning guidance more accessible and will make it easier to keep up to date.
How to set up a neighbourhood forum or designate a neighbourhood area.
Locality have prepared a “road map” guide to assist groups in developing neighbourhood plans, including:
- Learning about each of the stages and activities required to produce a neighbourhood plan
- Understanding when and how to designate a neighbourhood area, neighbourhood forum, when to submit your plan to the local planning authority, what is required for examination and referendum
- Understanding what needs to be done once the plan comes into force.
The guide can be found on the Locality Neighbourhood planning website.
