Neighbourhood Planning Frequently Asked Questions

A Neighbourhood plan is a planning document that communities can put together to set out how they would like their town, parish or village to develop over the next 15 years.

It will set out policies relating to how land is used and developed, like the Local Plan, but at a much more local level. It will form part of the criteria against which any new planning applications will be judged within that specific local area. A Neighbourhood Plan has to undergo a number of formal processes to ensure it is robust and well-evidenced. This includes two formal consultation periods, independent examination and a public referendum. If successful, the plan will be adopted by Colchester Borough Council as part of the development plan and your community will have set out its detailed policies for future development in the Neighbourhood area.