NALC launches neighbourhood planning survey for parish and town councils

We have launched a survey for the 2,850 parish and town councils in England that are currently leading and managing neighbourhood plans.

The survey aims to build a clearer picture of the current state of neighbourhood planning across England. The survey will explore the status of existing neighbourhood plans, councils' intentions to review or update them, the challenges they face in managing neighbourhood planning, and the impact of the recent withdrawal of government funding and support.

The findings will provide vital evidence to help shape our policy work and discussions with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). In particular, the results will inform our response to the government's forthcoming update to neighbourhood planning guidance and strengthen its case for ensuring parish and town councils continue to have the support they need to deliver effective neighbourhood plans for their communities.

Neighbourhood planning has played a significant role in helping local communities shape development and influence planning decisions since its introduction through the Localism Act 2011. However, at the end of the 2025/26 financial year, the government ended all general and technical support funding previously available to parish and town councils and neighbourhood forums for neighbourhood planning.

While the government has indicated that it has no plans to repeal neighbourhood planning legislation, our Policy Committee agreed that further evidence was needed to understand how parish and town councils are managing neighbourhood plans in the current environment and what support they may require in the future.

If your parish or town council is one of the 2,850 parish and town councils currently managing a neighbourhood plan, we encourage you to take part and complete the survey. The survey closes on 25 September 2026.