Your Local Planning Authority will always be the best starting point for anyone setting up a neighbourhood plan, so remember to speak to them about your options first.
Here are some sources of information which we think will help in setting up and writing your plan. This is by no means an exhaustive list, there is lots of help out there, these are just a few things we thought you might find useful.
Planting trees
'Plant your own trees' - Woodland Trust
Download our short guide on where and what to plant
Funded Bodies
Four bodies have been awarded funding to support neighbourhood planning by the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG):
Planning Aid/Royal Town Planning Institute
Campaign for the protection of Rural England (CPRE) in partnership with National Association of Local Councils (NALC)
The Princes Foundation for the Built Environment
Locality
Government Advice
The department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) has also provided official advice. This introduction to neighbourhood planning is a useful starting point.
Download CLG advice
The Environment Agency, English Heritage, Forestry Commission and Natural England are statutory environmental bodies. They have produced guidance on the natural and historic environment. It is a great starting point for thinking about how to improve your local environment; it also sets out when you should contact these statutory bodies.
Download natural and historic environment guidance
General Advice/Guidance
Helpful advice on writing a constitution for your neighbourhood forum (you do not need one of these if your plan is led by a Parish Council).
Setting up a local group
How to go through the neighbourhood planning process – CPRE and NALC
Top tips - Town and Country Planning Association
The Planning Advisory Service (PAS) is funded by CLG and predominantly in place to help local planning authorities and councillors. They have however produced a useful guide for ward councillors and a general overview. If you click on the networking tab you can join a forum to discuss your progress or problems with others.