25 June 2025Government says neighbourhood plans can still play an important role in the planning system despite ending of government support for their preparation.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Matthew Pennycook MP, Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government, informed MPs that ‘The government remains of the view that neighbourhood plans can play an important role in the planning system. Communities can continue to prepare neighbourhood plans where they consider that doing so is in their best interests.’
Adding that, ‘Following the Spending Review, my Department has announced that it is unable to commission new neighbourhood planning support services for 2025 onwards. Technical support which has already been awarded will continue to be provided but must be completed before the end of March 2026.’
He was responding to a question from South Cambridgeshire MP Pippa Heylings about neighbourhoods plans.
The full statement can be found here.
