2,850 town and parishes asked to complete the NALC Neighbourhood Plan Survey
- Louise Stubbs
- Aug 7
- 2 min read
The National Association of Local Councils has launched a survey for the 2,850 parish and town
councils in England that are currently leading and managing neighbourhood plans. The aim is simple: to gather a clear picture of what is happening on the ground, what councils plan to do next, what barriers they are facing, and how the withdrawal of government support funding is affecting progress. The findings will directly help NALC inform their policy work and engagement with government on the future of neighbourhood planning.
NALC has asked us to encourage as many of our readers and clients as possible to fill in the consultation. It's a great idea and we're happy to support NALC with this project. So please do click the link below to go directly to the form and take part.
How filling in this consultation will help:
Neighbourhood planning is one of the few parts of the planning system where town and parish councils have a direct route into shaping the future of their area (in fact it's a brilliant example of real devolution in practice!). When neighbourhood plans operate at their best - and are well enforced by planning authorities - they give local people a stronger voice on housing, design, green spaces, community facilities, heritage, transport, and the character of the places they know best.
Plans do not appear from nowhere. They need time, patience and resources at a local level. National policy discussions can easily become abstract. A survey like this helps provide an evidence base about Neighbourhood Plans and how they are used that has been missing.
The survey closes on 25 September 2026, but with many Councils not meeting in August, it is worth putting it on the agenda now!
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