What is a Neighbourhood Plan?
Neighbourhood Planning was introduced in the Localism Act 2011. It provides a powerful set of tools for local people to shape development in their community.
Once adopted, Neighbourhood Plans form part of Sefton's development plan. They are used to help determine planning applications in the area they cover along with the Sefton Local Plan (2017) and Waste Local Plan (2013)
Formby and Little Altcar Neighbourhood Plan was formally 'made' (approved) by Sefton Council on 21st November 2019. It now forms part of Sefton's development plan. Together with the Sefton Local Plan (2017) and Waste Local Plan (2013) it will be used to help determine planning applications in the parishes of Formby and Little Altcar.
| Formby and Little Altcar Neighbourhood Plan 2012-2030 - Made (Adopted) 21.11.2019 |  (pdf 7.19MB) |
| Formby and Little Altcar Decision Statement | (pdf 367KB) |
Formby and Little Altcar Neighbourhood Plan Previous Stages
On Thursday 10th October 2019 85.56% of votes cast in the referendum were in favour of the Neighbourhood Plan.
| Declaration Of Result | (pdf 194KB) |
Formby and Little Altcar Neighbourhood Plan was independently examined during July and August 2019.
| Decision To Proceed To Referendum | (pdf 276KB) |
| Formby Little Altcar Examination Report | (pdf 616KB) |
| Regulation 16 Consultation - Summary of comments | (pdf 448KB) |
Consultation on Submission Plan (Regulation 16 Stage)
Sefton Council consulted on the submitted draft Neighbourhood Plan from 27 March 2019 to 15 May 2019:
- Map of designated neighbourhood plan area - see Map 11 in the Neighbourhood Plan
- Strategic Environmental Assessment/Habitats Regulations Assessment Screening Report - see Appendix 6 of the Consultation Statement
Consultation on Draft Plan (Regulation 14 Stage)
Formby Parish Council undertook consultation on the pre-submission Draft Formby and Little Altcar Neighbourhood Plan between 31st October 2016 and 12th December 2016. Comments have been considered by the Parish Councils and the Plan has been amended accordingly. The plan was formally submitted to Sefton Council on 11th February 2019. For more information please go to www.formbyparishcouncil.org.uk
Application to Designate a Neighbourhood Area
Formby Parish Council initially submitted an application to Sefton Council to designate their parish as a ‘neighbourhood area’ for the purpose of preparing a Neighbourhood Development Plan in accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012. This was amended to include Little Altcar parish.
The application for designation of a Neighbourhood Development Plan area was approved by Cabinet on 12 September 2013.
| Map showing the proposed Formby neighbourhood plan area | (pdf 2.42MB) |
For more information please go to www.formbyparishcouncil.org.uk
Lydiate Neighbourhood Plan was formally 'made' (approved) by Sefton Council on 24th January 2019. It now forms part of Sefton's development plan, and, together with the Sefton Local Plan (2017) and Waste Local Plan (2013) will be used to help determine planning applications in the parish of Lydiate.
| Lydiate N P Final Version Copy | (pdf 3.09MB) |
| Lydiate N P Proposals Map | (pdf 548KB) |
| Lydiate Character Assessment | (pdf 3.72MB) |
| Lydiate N P Decision Statement | (pdf 72KB) |
Lydiate Neighbourhood Plan Previous Stages
On Tuesday 18th December, 88.77% of votes cast in the referendum were in favour of the Neighbourhood Plan.
| Declaration Of Result Lydiate | (pdf 20KB) |
Lydiate Neighbourhood Plan was independently examined during August and September 2018.
| 3 Lydiate Neighbourhood Plan Examiners Report 180918 | (pdf 175KB) |
| 4 Lydiate N P Reg 16 Summary Of Comments | (pdf 108KB) |
| 5 Lydiate NP Decision Statement | (pdf 209KB) |
Consultation on Submission Plan (Regulation 16 Stage)
Sefton Council consulted on the submitted Neighbourhood Plan for six weeks from 13 June to 30 July 2018.
| Lydiate Neighbourhood Plan 2017-2037 Submission Version | (pdf 1.96MB) |
| Map of designated neighbourhood plan area | (pdf 665KB) |
| Lydiate Residential Character Assessment | (pdf 3.71MB) |
| Lydiate Basic Conditions Statement | (pdf 797KB) |
| Lydiate Consultation Statement | (pdf 2.43MB) |
| Lydiate NP SEA Screening Report | (pdf 1.25MB) |
Consultation on Draft Plan (Regulation 14 Stage)
Lydiate Parish Council consulted on the pre-submission Draft Plan between 1st December 2017 and 31st January 2018 and amended the plan before formally submitting to Sefton Council on 19th April 2018. For more information please go to www.lydiateparishcouncil.gov.uk/
Application to Designate a Neighbourhood Area
Lydiate Parish Council submitted an application to Sefton Council on 6th July 2015 to have Lydiate parish designated as a ‘neighbourhood area’ for the purpose of preparing a Neighbourhood Plan in accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012. The decision notice was issued on 28th September 2015.
| Application For Lydiate Neighbourhood Plan | (pdf 160KB) |
| Plan showing proposed Neighbourhood Plan area | (pdf 1.14MB) |
| Lydiate Area Designation Decision Notice 28 09 15 | (pdf 396KB) |
Maghull Neighbourhood Plan was formally 'made' (approved) by Sefton Council on 24th January 2019. It now forms part of Sefton's development plan, and, together with the Sefton Local Plan (2017) and Waste Local Plan (2013), will be used to help determine planning applications in the Parish of Maghull.
| Maghull N P Final Version2 | (pdf 2.54MB) |
| Maghull N P Proposals Map | (pdf 1.1MB) |
| Maghull Residential Character Assessment2 | (pdf 3.5MB) |
| Maghull N P Decision Statement | (pdf 72KB) |
Maghull Neighbourhood Plan Previous Stages
On Tuesday 18th December, 85.73% of votes cast at the referendum were in favour of the Neighbourhood Plan.
| Declaration Of Result Maghull | (pdf 14KB) |
Maghull Neighbourhood Plan was independently examined between August and October 2018.
| 3 Maghull NP Examiners Report 221018 | (pdf 236KB) |
| 4 Maghull N Plan Reg 16 Summary Of Comments | (pdf 151KB) |
| 5 Maghull NP Decision Statement | (pdf 244KB) |
Consultation on Submission Plan (Regulation 16 Stage)
Sefton Council consulted on the submitted Neighbourhood Plan for six weeks from 13 June to 30 July 2018.
| Maghull Neighbourhood Plan 2017 – 2037 | (pdf 2.24MB) |
| Map of designated neighbourhood plan area | (pdf 3.68MB) |
| Maghull Town Council Residential Character Assessment | (pdf 3.54MB) |
| Maghull Neighbourhood Plan Basic Conditions Statement | (pdf 978KB) |
| Draft Neighbourhood Plan Consultation Statement | (pdf 1.88MB) |
| Strategic Environmental Assessment/Habitats Regulations Assessment Screening Report | (pdf 1.19MB) |
Consultation on Draft Plan (Regulation 14 Stage)
Maghull Town Council consulted on the pre-submission Draft Plan between 29th July and 9th October 2017 and amended the plan before formally submitting to Sefton Council on 6th April 2018. For more information please go to www.maghull-tc.gov.uk/
Application to Designate a Neighbourhood Area
Maghull Town Council submitted an application to Sefton Council to designate their parish as a ‘neighbourhood area’ for the purpose of preparing a Neighbourhood Development Plan in accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012. The application was approved on 5th February 2015.
| Maghull Neighbourhood Area Decision Notice 05 02 15 | (pdf 273KB) |
| Maghull Town Council - Qualifying Statement | (pdf 17KB) |
| Map showing the Maghull neighbourhood development plan area | (pdf 948KB) |
| Cabinet Report 05 02 15 Designation Of Maghull And Melling | (pdf 455KB) |
| Minute 60 5th Feb 2015 Cabinet | (pdf 26KB) |
Melling Parish Council submitted a revised application to Sefton Council to designate their parish as a ‘neighbourhood area’ for the purpose of preparing a Neighbourhood Development Plan in accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012. The application was approved on 5th February 2015.
The Neighbourhood Development Plan will be used to decide the future of the places where you live and work giving opportunities to:
- Influence where new homes, shops and offices are to be built
- Have your say on what new buildings should look like
- Grant planning permission for the new buildings you want to see go ahead.
- The plan would address and respond to the Sefton Local Plan’s proposals of developing two sites in Melling (141 houses at Waddicar Lane / Rainbow Drive) and (144 houses at Chapel Lane / Woodland Road). Please note these sites have not been confirmed but have been identified by Sefton Council as where future development should take place once its Local Plan is adopted in 2015.
When made, and following a successful referendum of the local community, the Neighbourhood Development Plan will supersede any relevant policies in the Council's Local Plan and be used to determine planning applications.
If you would like more information about the Melling Neighbourhood Development Plan please use the links below or would like to help with its preparation, please email Melling Parish Council mellingparish@aol.com , tel 07541 382220, or contact Sefton Council on 0151 934 3556.
How will the Neighbourhood Development Plan differ from and how does it complement the emerging Sefton Local Plan?
Neighbourhood Development Plans should support the strategic development needs set out in the Local Plan and plan positively to support local development in the area they cover.
They must address the development and use of land. This is because if successful at examination and referendum the Neighbourhood Development Plan will become part of the statutory development plan once it has been made (brought into legal force) by the planning authority. Applications for planning permission must be determined in accordance with the Development Plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.
Neighbourhood planning can inspire local people and businesses to consider other ways to improve their neighbourhood than through the development and use of land. They may identify specific action or policies to deliver these improvements. Wider community aspirations than those relating to development and use of land can be included in a Neighbourhood Development Plan, but actions dealing with non land use matters should be clearly identifiable. For example, set out in a companion document or annex.
Policies in the Neighbourhood Development Plan cannot be used to block development in the Local Plan, although they can promote more development. Where policies in the Neighbourhood Development Plan and the Local Plan cover the same topic, the last plan that became part of the Development Plan takes precedence.
There are lots of websites giving advice and support on Neighbourhood Planning. A good place to start is the Locality website https://neighbourhoodplanning.org/about/neighbourhood-planning/ . This provides step by step guidance on each stage of the process including background information and studies required to support your plan.
Who produces a Neighbourhood Plan?
Plans are prepared by Town or Parish Councils in areas that have them. In other areas a Neighbourhood Forum will need to be set up. This needs to have at least 21 members made up of residents, businesses, organisations and councillors from the area. A written constitution is required.
What area can a Neighbourhood Plan cover?
In Parished areas the plan usually covers the parish. Parishes can combine to prepare a joint plan. In non-parished areas Neighbourhood Forums should agree with the Council the area a plan will cover. This is subject to consultation before being agreed.
What help does Sefton Council provide?
We provide help to any group wishing to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan for their area. This includes officer support during the preparation process, help with mapping and providing details of statutory consultees, preparation of Strategic Environment Assessment screening reports. The activities the Council are responsible for include the organisation of the final stage of consultation, examination and referendum.
Please contact Neighbourhoodplanning@sefton.gov.uk
Is there any funding available?
There is government funding available for groups wishing to develop a Neighbourhood Plan. See https://neighbourhoodplanning.org/about/neighbourhood-planning/
| Sefton NP Progress | (pdf 1.02MB) |