Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department provides to local planning authorities on support for town and parish councils to initiate a neighbourhood plan when (a) there is no local plan, (b) a local plan is being considered by an inspection and (c) there is doubt about housing numbers.

Planning guidance sets out the action an authority should take where a neighbourhood plan comes forward before an up-to-date Local Plan is in place (further details can be found at: http://planningguidance.planningportal.gov.uk/blog/guidance/neighbourhood-planning/what-is-neighbourhood-planning/what-is-a-neighbourhood-plan-and-what-is-its-relationship-to-a-local-plan/)

A local planning authority should take a proactive and positive approach, working collaboratively with a parish or town council or a designated neighbourhood forum particularly sharing evidence and seeking to resolve any issues to ensure that the draft neighbourhood plan has the greatest chance of success at independent examination.

Town and parish councils and designated neighbourhood forums can also use the planning guidance on housing and economic development needs assessments to identify specific local needs that may be relevant to a neighbourhood but any assessment at such a local level should be proportionate.