Neighbourhood planning

There are three types of neighbourhood plan 

• Neighbourhood Development Plan – this sets out a shared vision and general planning policies for the future development and use of land in a local area 
• Neighbourhood Development Order – this allows communities to grant planning permission for certain types of development that they want in their local area 
• Community Right to Build Order – this allows communities to grant planning permission to build small-scale housing developments, community facilities or shops that are recognised as providing positive benefits by the community 

Neighbourhood plans and development orders can be prepared by parish/town councils and neighbourhood forums for their local area.  

To make sure these plans are truly led by the community, local people vote to approve them in a referendum. If successful, they will form part of the South Gloucestershire Development Plan.  

Communities are not required to prepare a neighbourhood plan. They are however seen as a good option for communities as they show willingness to get involved positively in managing and influencing growth of an area.  

Neighbourhood plans are treated with the same importance in considering planning applications as any other adopted plan, once they form part of the South Gloucestershire Development Plan. 

A neighbourhood plan should be prepared by town and parish councils or by local community groups, not the council.  

The formal process for preparing a neighbourhood plan is set in the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations below 

• The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 
• The Neighbourhood Planning (General) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 
• The Neighbourhood Planning (General) and Development Management Procedure (Amendment) Regulation 2016 
• The Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017 (Commencement No. 3) Regulations 2018 

Our statement of community involvement sets out how we help communities prepare a neighbourhood plan.  

A neighbourhood planning protocol sets out our commitment to providing advice and support. This includes 

• a process note which sets out the stages of the process and consultation timescales 
• advice and assistance (includes meetings, methods of engaging and consulting with communities and consultation statements)
• where resources allow, we offer wider proactive awareness raising of neighbourhood planning across South Gloucestershire including training for town and parish councils and communities in unparished areas 
• an example service level agreement that can be used between the community preparing the plan and the council 
• an example neighbourhood plan steering group terms of reference 

Our website includes information on community profiles, flooding, archaeological data, listed buildings and conservation sites. You can also check Historic Environment Records on the Historic England website. 

The links below cover a range of support and resources that we recommend exploring in considering whether a neighbourhood plan is right for your community.  

• Communities and Local Government Neighbourhood Planning 
• Notes on Neighbourhood Planning 
• Locality 
• Royal Town Planning Institute 
• Planning Aid England 
• Eden Project 
• My Community Rights 
• Quick Guide to Neighbourhood Plans 
• Neighbourhood Planning Road Map Guide 
• Planning Advisory Service 
• Avon Local Councils Association 

Communities may also wish to engage through the Joint Spatial Plan and the new South Gloucestershire Local Plan, which is being prepared by the council and will help guide development in the district until 2036. 

In accordance with The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended), the following communities have submitted an application to designate a Neighbourhood Area under Article 5 of the Regulations. Some of these plans have now completed the neighbourhood plan process and have been ‘made’. This means they carry full weight in planning terms alongside the councils adopted Local Plan. You can view these on the Made Neighbourhood Plans page.

Pucklechurch Neighbourhood Plan 

The Pucklechurch Neighbourhood Plan was originally designated on 27 January 2012 in accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulation (as amended). The boundary was updated after a consultation between 16 August and 27 September. 

The updated Pucklechurch Neighbourhood Area Boundary replaces all previous versions.

The Pucklechurch Neighbourhood Plan has now been through independent examination. We have published a decision statement alongside the examination report on the examination webpage. 

The plan will now proceed to referendum on Thursday 22 October 2026.

Cold Ashton Neighbourhood Plan

On 27 November 2025 in accordance with Neighbourhood Plan 2016 Regulations (as amended) the following area, which is consistent with the parish boundary, was formally designated as a Neighbourhood Area.

Tytherington and Itchington Neighbourhood Plan

On 29 September 2025 in accordance with Neighbourhood Plan 2016 Regulations (as amended), the following area which is consistent with the parish boundary, was formally designated as a Neighbourhood Area.

Almondsbury Neighbourhood Plan

On 15 April 2024 in accordance with Neighbourhood Plan 2016 Regulations (as amended), the following area which is consistent with the parish boundary, was formally designated as a Neighbourhood Area.

Tormarton and West Littleton Neighbourhood Plan

On 15 April 2024 in accordance with Neighbourhood Plan 2016 Regulations (as amended), the following area which is consistent with the parish boundary was formally designated as a Neighbourhood Area.

Siston Neighbourhood Plan

On 25 September 2023 in accordance with Neighbourhood Plan 2016 Regulations (as amended), the following area which is consistent with the parish boundary was formally designated as a Neighbourhood Area.

Filton Neighbourhood Plan

On 21 September 2022 in accordance with Neighbourhood Plan 2016 Regulations (as amended), the following area which is consistent with the parish boundary was formally designated as a Neighbourhood Area.

Pilning and Severn Beach Neighbourhood Plan

On 11 January 2021 and in accordance with Neighbourhood Plan 2016 Regulations, the following area which is consistent with the parish boundary was formally designated as a Neighbourhood Area.

Thornbury Neighbourhood Plan 

We have formally made the Thornbury Neighbourhood Plan for use in the planning system as part of the Statutory Development Plan. This is through approval at Full Committee on 18 May 2022 and through the Decision Statement, which you can find on the Made Neighbourhood Plans page.

Charfield Neighbourhood Plan Area 

We have formally made the Charfield Neighbourhood Plan for use in the planning system as part of the Statutory Development Plan. This is through approval at Full Committee on 22 September 2021 and through the Decision Statement, which can be found on the Made Neighbourhood Plans page.

Oldbury on Severn Neighbourhood Plan 

We have formally made the Oldbury Neighbourhood Plan for use in the planning system as part of the Statutory Development Plan. This is through approval at Full Committee on 18 May 2022 and through the Decision Statement, which you can find on the Made Neighbourhood Plans page.