Site under construction
These webpages are currently being updated. We apologise for any inconvenience.
If you cannot find what you are looking for, please contact planningpolicy@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
Neighbourhood Planning
The Localism Act 2011 introduced new rights and powers to allow local communities to shape new development by coming together to prepare neighbourhood plans. These plans set out the vision, policies and proposals for the future development of an area. Once made by Cheshire West and Chester Council, the neighbourhood plan forms part of the statutory development plan for the borough and is used in making decisions on planning applications within the neighbourhood plan area.
The Localism Act also allows parish councils and other community organisations to bring forward a Neighbourhood Development Order or a Community Right to Build Order (CRtBO). A Neighbourhood Development Order grants planning permission for specific types of development in an identified area. A CRtBO enables a parish council or specific community organisation to bring forward a smaller-scale development on a specific site, without the need for planning permission.
Current consultations and neighbourhood plan news
- Christleton and Littleton Neighbourhood plan - pre-submission (regulation 14 stage) consultation runs from 10 November to 22 December 2025.
- Blacon Neighbourhood Plan - pre-submission (regulation 14 stage) and Neighbourhood Development Order (regulation 21 stage) ran from 25 March to 22 July 2025.
- Malpas Neighbourhood Plan (revised) - pre-submission (regulation 14 stage) consultation ran from 31 March to 16 May 2025.
- Tattenhall & District Neighbourhood Plan (revised) - pre-submission (regulation 14 stage) consultation ran from 12 March to 28 April 2025.
- Dunham on the Hill and Hapsford Neighbourhood Plan - made on 10 September 2025.
- Handbridge Neighbourhood Plan - made on 29 July 2025.
More information and funding opportunities
- Topics covered by made neighbourhood plans (PDF, 270KB) is a quick reference to what topics are covered by each made neighbourhood plan.
- Email us for further information or to submit your application for a neighbourhood area or forum (forms and guidance available in the Neighbourhood planning toolkit below): neighbourhoodplanning@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
- Neighbourhood planning toolkit - further information on the different stages in the neighbourhood planning process.
- Neighbourhood planning protocol (updated January 2022) (PDF, 759KB) - explains the stages of neighbourhood planning and who does what.
- Free advice and guidance on neighbourhood planning from Locality and their partners.
- Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government - Departmental advice and news relating to planning and regeneration
- Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
- Planning Advisory Service - case studies.
- Planning Portal - The UK government's planning and building regulation resource for England and Wales
- Cheshire Community Action
- Cheshire Association of Local Councils (ChALC)
- Notes on Neighbourhood Planning - GOV.UK website. Includes information on grant funding, updates to national planning policy and guidance on neighbourhood planning.
Parish Priorities Statements
Some Parish Councils have prepared Parish Priorities Statements in order to inform preparation of the Local Plan and identify community priorities. The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act introduce Neighbourhood Priorities Statements as an optional and 'light touch' alternative to Neighbourhood Plans. Further guidance and legislation relating to Neighbourhood Priorities Statements has not yet been introduced by central government. In the meantime, we have suggested that Parish Priorities Statements can be prepared by local communities as a 'pilot' version of a Neighbourhood Priorities Statement. As soon as more guidance is provided by central government on the content of Neighbourhood Priorities Statements, we will add it to this web page. If you are interested in preparing a Parish Priorities Statement or would like more information, please contact neighbourhoodplanning@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.