New funding announced for neighbourhood planning

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced that funding to help communities in urban and deprived areas plan their local neighbourhoods will almost double.

From 10 August, government grants to individual neighbourhood planning groups in both urban and deprived areas will increase to £18,000, following funding increasing from £9,000 to £10,000 in May to help with the effects of coronavirus. Ministers say that the funding boost will strengthen the voice of local communities in some of the most disadvantaged areas in England.

Arriving a week after the launch of Planning for the Future, the government’s overhaul of the outdated planning system, the announcement will also see groups provided with access to additional technical expertise free of charge, such as for assessing their area’s housing needs, or developing masterplans.

Jenrick said: “The government is overhauling the country’s outdated planning system to deliver the high-quality sustainable homes the country needs. Under the new system local communities will be in the driving seat deciding what is built and where. I want to ensure all communities have a strong voice in this process which is why I am doubling the funding available in some of the most deprived parts of the country to help residents in these areas shape the future of their neighbourhoods.”

Sue Baxter, chairman of the National Association of Local Councils, said: “England’s local councils are at the forefront of neighbourhood planning and make up the vast majority of the 2,600 places using this important tool in the planning system to shape development and housing in their areas. This additional grant funding for disadvantaged communities is particularly welcome and will provide a vital extra boost to help hundreds of areas prepare a plan.

“NALC would encourage local councils in those areas to use this additional funding to get started on neighbourhood planning to help build back better communities. Communities with an adopted neighbourhood plan in unparished areas are able to fast track the process to set up a local council so they can also benefit from local leadership and support the wider benefits and ambitions of neighbourhood planning.”