How to produce a neighbourhood plan

The table below shows key stages required by legislation (shown with an asterisk*) and key stages that are good practice.

Please note, this information is for guidance only. National guidance is here and it is important that you should also refer to the relevant Act and associated Regulations.

	Key stage	Responsibility
1	Establish a 'qualifying body' (a neighbourhood forum if there is no parish council) *	Only necessary in non-parished areas. Community group applies to planning authority.
2	Establish a neighbourhood area *	Parish council or forum applies to planning authority
3	Define the scope, content and vision of the plan	Key stages 3–11 are the responsibility of the parish council or forum. The planning authority has a duty to give advice and assistance. These stages are roughly consecutive but you should be involving people and building up evidence throughout the whole process.
4	Produce a project plan
5	Involve people – key local partners and community engagement
6	Research and build up evidence. Understand the local plan
7	Develop options for aims, policies, proposals or site allocations
8	Prepare a draft neighbourhood plan
9	Ensure that your plan meets the basic conditions *
10	Undertake pre-submission consultation *
11	Submit plan to planning authority *
12	Check conformity *	Planning authority
13	Publicise *	Planning authority
14	Examination *	By independent examiner, planning authority to pay
15	Referendum *	By district
16	Bring plan into force (if more than 50% voting in referendum say 'yes') *	Planning authority