Preparing a Neighbourhood Plan

Below is a brief outline of the process involved in preparing a neighbourhood plan:

1. The community submits an application to Dudley Council to designate a neighbourhood area

2. Dudley Council publicises and consults on the area application for a minimum of 6 weeks, and then decided whether to designate a neighbourhood area

3. A prospective neighbourhood forum submits an application to be the designated neighbourhood forum

4. Dudley Council consults on the forum application for a minimum of 6 weeks, and then decided whether to designate a neighbourhood forum

5. The neighbourhood forum draws up its draft neighbourhood plan for the designated neighbourhood area, publicises it and submits it to Dudley Council;

6. The plan is then amended to address the consultation responses as necessary, and a consultation statement is prepared;

7. The amended plan is then submitted to Dudley Council – if the council considers that the plan meets all legal requirements, it is then publicised for a minimum of 6 weeks and the consultation bodies referred to in the consultation statement are notified

8. An independent examiner is appointed;

9. The examination takes place and the examiner subsequently submits a report to Dudley Council and neighbourhood forum;

10. Dudley Council will then review the plan in the light of the report and decide whether to send the plan out for a referendum;

11. If the majority vote in favour of the plan in the referendum, it is then adopted and becomes part of the Development Plan for the Borough.

If you are in a position to progress a neighbourhood plan, you are advised to make early contact with Dudley Council’s Strategic Planning and Historic Environment Team via the contact points listed at the bottom of this page.