You can apply for your local area to become a neighbourhood planning area.
Community groups in Bristol can apply to set up a neighbourhood planning area.
Once a neighbourhood planning area has been approved, community groups can apply to be the neighbourhood planning forum for that area. Only one group can be the planning forum for each area.
The neighbourhood planning forum will be able to write policies that we'll use when deciding planning applications for that area.
Requirements for groups who want to make an application
To make an application to set up a neighbourhood planning area or to become a neighbourhood planning forum, the community group must:
- be set up to improve the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of the area
- have at least 21 people who live or work in the area or are elected councillors for the area
- always be open to new members who live or work in the area
- have a written constitution
- be able to show that members include local residents, workers and councillors for the area, or that it has tried to get members from each of these groups
- be able to show that members are from different places in the neighbourhood
- be able to show that members are from different sections of the community in the neighbourhood
- be able to show that their aims reflect the character of the neighbourhood
How to apply to set up a neighbourhood planning area
First, contact us at blp@bristol.gov.uk so we can discuss whether a neighbourhood planning area is suitable for your area.
You'll then need to send an application letter to us at blp@bristol.gov.uk or Strategic City Planning, City Hall, Bristol City Council, PO Box 3399, Bristol, BS1 9NE.
Your letter must include:
- information showing that you meet the requirements above
- the name of the organisation
- the organisation's constitution and evidence of when it was agreed
- the name you want to call your proposed neighbourhood planning area
- an Ordnance Survey map showing the boundaries of your proposed area
- a statement that describes the boundaries and explains why the area is suitable to become a neighbourhood planning area, including ideas about opportunities for development in the area
- evidence of your membership such as a map showing where residents live, or the names of members and whether they are residents, work in the area or are councillors
- a named contact that anyone can get in touch with about your ideas
You'll also need to have a website to share your ideas with the community, or be prepared to set one up.
How to apply to become a neighbourhood planning forum
Once we approve a neighbourhood planning area, your group can apply to be the planning forum for the area.
You'll need to send an application letter to us at blp@bristol.gov.uk or Strategic City Planning, City Hall, Bristol City Council, PO Box 3399, Bristol, BS1 9NE.
Your letter must include:
- information showing that you meet the requirements for groups who want to make an application
- the name of the neighbourhood planning area
- the name of your organisation
- the organisation's constitution and evidence of when it was agreed
- evidence of your membership including the names of members and whether they are residents, work in the area or are councillors
- a map showing where residents live
- a statement that explains why you want your organisation to be the neighbourhood planning forum for the area
- proof that the application is made for and with the knowledge of the organisation, such as formal minutes of a meeting supporting the application
- a named contact that anyone can get in touch with about your ideas
You'll also need to have a website to share your ideas with the community, or be prepared to set one up.