Having your say

Community involvement

The government is keen that citizens should take an active part in decisions affecting them and their communities.

Personal involvement in planning requires access to information and a willingness to contribute an opinion, either as an individual or in a group.

There are four areas the public can get involved in local planning matters:

Most processes run to timetables so it is important to make your views - sometimes called 'representations' - known in good time.

It is also useful to know how to obtain expert help to represent a personal position effectively.

Planning Aid

Planning Aid is a registered charity which provides free, independent and professional advice and support on planning issues to people and communities who cannot afford to hire a planning consultant.

Planning Aid aims to meet one of the key aims of the government's planning reform agenda - to place community engagement at the heart of the planning system.

Learn more on the Planning Aid website.