Neighbourhood planning step by step guide

Step 6: Submission to the city council (Regulation 15)

The neighbourhood group will need to review the comments made by the council and all other consultees at the Regulation 14 stage and decide whether to make amendments to the draft Plan. 

 Following any amendments, the draft Neighbourhood Plan should then be submitted to the City Council. 

The documents that should be submitted are:

  • Submission Neighbourhood Plan
  • Basic Conditions Statement
  • Consultation Statement
  • SEA Screening Opinion / or full SEA
  • Equalities Impact Statement

Basic conditions

 Before the forum submits its plan to the city council, it is sensible to check with us whether we have any concerns over whether the plan meets the ‘basic conditions’ that a draft plan must meet if it is to proceed to referendum. 

The basic conditions are that neighbourhood plans must:

  • have regard to national policies and guidance such as the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG),
  • be in general conformity with the strategic policies contained in the development plan (Local Plan)
  • contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, and
  • comply with EU obligations and human rights legislation.

Pre-examination check

These can be carried out by the Neighbourhood Planning Independent Examiner Referral Service (NPIERS). 

More information on health checks and an application form is available on the RICS website.