Find out about neighbourhood planning

Neighbourhood Planning is a way for communities to shape their local area. It can help them to: 

• choose where new homes, shops and offices are built 
• influence how new buildings look 
• help shape the design and uses of open spaces 
• grant planning permission for developments residents want 

Once Neighbourhood Plan policies pass a referendum, they become part of our Development Plan. This means they'll be used to help decide on planning applications.  

Neighbourhood Plans cannot prevent developments necessary to meet Guildford Borough's current and future needs.

There are three ways a community can use Neighbourhood Planning to meet its aims: 

Neighbourhood Plan 

Used to: 

• establish and deliver a vision for the area 
• set planning policies 
• propose new uses for land 

If a Neighbourhood Plan passes a referendum, it will be used to help decide on planning applications.

Neighbourhood Development Order (NDO) 

Allows communities to grant up-front planning permission for some types of development. These are produced by parish and town councils or designated neighbourhood forums. 

Community Right to Build Order  

A type of NDO which can be produced by a community group. They can grant permission for small-scale community-led developments.

There are twelve adopted neighbourhood areas in Guildford Borough. These areas have the power to create Neighbourhood Plans and Orders.  

Eight areas have Neighbourhood Plans which have already passed a referendum:

• Burpham
• East Horsley
• Effingham
• Lovelace
• Puttenham
• Send
• West Clandon
• West Horsley

The other four areas are: 

• Albury
• Artington
• East Clandon
• Seale and Sands

Check the map of neighbourhood areas in Guildford Borough below:

If you already live in a neighbourhood area, check which neighbourhood planning measures are in place on our website. If not, you may wish to consider starting the process yourself, or talk to your parish council.  

Read the neighbourhood planning guide from Locality (opens new window)

We can provide guidance and technical help through the neighbourhood planning process. Contact customer services (opens new window) or call 01483 505050. 

In areas with parish councils, the parish council must lead on neighbourhood planning. In areas without parish councils, local people must apply to the council to designate a 'neighbourhood forum'.

Visit the following sites for more information: 

• The Government guide to Neighbourhood Planning (opens new window)
• Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2012 (opens new window)
• MyCommunity neighbourhood planning website (opens new window)