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Government increases funding for neighbourhood planning

Funding for neighbourhood planning groups in urban and deprived parts of England will be increased, the government has announced.

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Grants available for individual neighbourhood planning groups in urban and poorer areas will nearly double from £10,000 to £18,000 from today (picture: Getty)
Grants available for individual neighbourhood planning groups in urban and poorer areas will nearly double from £10,000 to £18,000 from today (picture: Getty)
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Government increases funding for neighbourhood planning #UKhousing

Funding for neighbourhood planning groups in urban and deprived parts of England will be increased, the government has announced #UKhousing

Grants available for individual neighbourhood planning groups in urban and poorer areas will nearly double from £10,000 to £18,000 from today.

The funding was increased from £9,000 to £10,000 in May as part of the government’s coronavirus response.

Ministers said the funding boost will help to strengthen local communities’ voices in some of the country’s most disadvantaged areas.

Groups will also be given access to free technical expertise, such as for assessing housing needs or developing masterplans.

It comes after the government published proposals last week to reform England’s planning system and introduce major changes to the existing regime in the interim.


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Housing secretary Robert Jenrick said: “The government is overhauling the country’s outdated planning system to deliver the high-quality sustainable homes the country needs.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.”

Around 2,600 places across England have neighbourhood planning groups, mostly set up by town and parish councils.

Neighbourhood plans sit alongside the local plans prepared by local authorities and are used to inform planning decisions.

Tony Burton, convener of Neighbourhood Planners London, said: “With the planning system undergoing major reform it has never been more important that communities take advantage of their right to plan their neighbourhood.

“We welcome the new and additional support to neighbourhood forums across London and other urban areas.

“This will help put local communities on the front foot in planning the future of their areas.”

Sue Baxter, chair of the National Association of Local Councils, said the funding “will provide a vital extra boost to help hundreds of areas prepare a plan”.

Places that are either non-parished or among the 20% most deprived areas in England according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation will be eligible for the additional grant and technical support.

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