Borough reaches 25 Neighbourhood Plans

These important documents help to ensure that local views are taken into account when making planning decisions in parishes across the area.

The Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Licensing, Cllr Jim Moriarty, was delighted to reach this milestone:

“We know that our residents want their views to be taken into account on planning applications and Neighbourhood Planning is a good example of that.

It was introduced to allow communities to set locally-distinctive policies that would give them a greater say in how planning decisions are made.

With 25 plans covering 28 parishes now in place in West Norfolk, we can see that this is happening across the Borough and I would like to commend those town and parish councils who have already completed their plans. It should not be underestimated how much work goes into preparing a plan and I would like to thank those town and parish councillors, and committed residents, who have gone through the process for the benefit of their communities.

I’d also like to note that reaching the milestone of 25 plans is far from the end of the story: we have more in the pipeline that will be going to referendum in 2026 and 2027.”

Preparation of Neighbourhood Plans is led by Parish and Town Councils and has been popular across the Borough. 

Once agreed in a local referendum and adopted by the Borough Council, the plans form part of the statutory development plan for the Borough, and are taken into account in determining planning applications within its area.

The next neighbourhood plans to come forward are for Walpole Cross Keys and Docking, both of which have reached an advanced stage in the process, and are expected to come forward early next year.

The Borough Council remains committed to supporting communities and Parish Councils in preparing Neighbourhood Plans, in line with our overarching priorities to protect our environment and support our communities.