Neighbourhood planning

Applications for neighbourhood areas and information

What is a neighbourhood plan? 

Neighbourhood planning allows communities to come together to have more of a say on the future of the places where they live and work.

A neighbourhood plan is a document created by local people, usually led by town or parish councils, which sets out how their area should grow and change. It covers important topics such as where new homes might go, protecting green spaces, and making sure local facilities meet community needs.

There is a legal framework to produce a neighbourhood plan and this includes the need to formally designate a neighbourhood planning area, undertake formal consultation, independent examination and pass a local referendum.  

Neighbourhood plans give local residents a real say in shaping their surroundings and ensuring future developments reflect their priorities. 

If successful, neighbourhood plans work alongside the local plan, which sets out the wider strategy for development across the district. Together, they help decide planning applications and guide decisions on new buildings and land use. 

Made Plans

The following neighbourhood plans have been formally ‘made’ part of the development plan for North Devon:

Proposals for development within these areas should be considered against the policies in the relevant neighbourhood plan, alongside policies in the local plan, national planning policies, and other relevant material considerations.

The new local plan and neighbourhood planning

The new local plan will supersede any existing neighbourhood plans. However, we know it is important to respect local needs when making changes to the local plan, so we will always consider existing and developing neighbourhood plans when preparing a new local plan.

Creating neighbourhood plans

Within the local planning authority area of North Devon, only parish councils can apply to designated a neighbourhood planning area. Further details on the designation process are available from the Planning Policy team by emailing localplan@northdevon.gov.uk.

Community involvement is at the heart of neighbourhood planning. Residents can join discussions, attend meetings or workshops, and share their views through online surveys and public consultations. Community input helps shape the plan, so it truly reflects what matters to people living and working in the area. Town or parish councils are responsible for public consultation and engagement in the preparation of neighbourhood plans.

The role of district councils in neighbourhood plans

We, as a district council, provide support throughout the neighbourhood planning process. We provide advice on how to get started, offer technical support, and guide the formal steps needed to create a plan. Any involvement and guidance related to consultation on future plans will be underpinned by our guiding principles, just like the local plan.  

Our statutory duties include designating neighbourhood areas, publicising draft plans, organising the examination and referendum, and officially adopting the plan once it is approved. We aim to support community groups as much as possible with resources and practical advice.

Neighbourhood planning regulations provide the details on the different stages. Additional guidance is available from GOV.UK.

Neighbourhood planning toolkits - GOV.UK

The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012

Designated Neighbourhood Planning Areas

The first stage in preparing a neighbourhood plan is for the town or parish council to formally request North Devon Council designate their parish as a Neighbourhood Planning Area. 

The following parishes have designated neighbourhood planning areas:

Areas designated so far: 

  • Ashford Parish Council - application (374 KB) map (5,352 KB). In accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended) North Devon Council advises that it designated Ashford Parish as a Neighbourhood Area on 25 July 2017. The extent of the area is the whole area of the parish, as shown in the map contained in the application. The Relevant Body who applied for this area to be designated was Ashford Parish Council
  • Barnstaple Town Council - application and map (371 KB), notice of area designation (399 KB)
  • Bratton Fleming Parish Council - application (200 KB), map (15,900 KB),notice of area designation (603 KB)
  • Fremington Parish Council - application (1,014 KB), map (14,026 KB), notice of area designation (577 KB)
  • Goodleigh Parish Council - application and map (pdf 5 MB), notice of area designation (pdf 208 KB)
  • Heanton Punchardon Parish Council - application and map (1 MB). In accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended) North Devon Council advises that it designated Heanton Punchardon Parish as a Neighbourhood Area on 9 November 2016. The extent of the area is the whole area of the parish, as shown in the map contained in the application. The Relevant Body who applied for this area to be designated was Heanton Punchardon Parish Council
  • Ilfracombe Town Council - application and map (16.8 MB), notice of area designation (187 KB)
  • Instow Parish Council - application and map (647 KB), notice of area designation (722 KB)
  • Landkey Parish Council - application and map (1 MB). In accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended) North Devon Council advises that it designated Landkey Parish as a Neighbourhood Area on 10 March 2017. The extent of the area is the whole area of the parish, as shown in the map contained in the application. The Relevant Body who applied for this area to be designated was Landkey Parish Council
  • Mortehoe Parish Council - application (475 KB) map (5 MB). In accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended) North Devon Council advises that it designated Mortehoe Parish as a Neighbourhood Area on 29 January 2018. The extent of the area is the whole area of the parish, as shown in the map contained in the application. The Relevant Body who applied for this area to be designated was Mortehoe Parish Council
  • South Molton Town Council - application and map (755 KB). In accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended) North Devon Council advises that it designated South Molton Parish as a Neighbourhood Area on 18 January 2017. The extent of the area is the whole area of the parish, as shown in the map contained in the application. The Relevant Body who applied for this area to be designated was South Molton Town Council

Map of parishes with a Neighbourhood Plan