Localism and neighbourhood planning

Localism

You can use opportunities in the Localism Act 2011 to influence the future of your local area using initiatives such as neighbourhood planning, the community right to build and assets of community value.

For more information on topics set out below visit the My Community website.

Expressions of interest related to the topics set out below should be submitted to the Local Plan Team.

Neighbourhood planning

A community group can seek to become a designated neighbourhood forum that can prepare a neighbourhood plan setting out a vision and planning policies for a neighbourhood area. A neighbourhood forum needs to be inclusive and its purpose and membership should reflect the character of the area. A neighbourhood plan should focus on local matters and should be in general conformity with national policy and with the City of London Corporation’s Local Plan.

The City of London Corporation has designated

• A Neighbourhood Area, as the Barbican and Golden Lane Neighbourhood Area; and
• A Neighbourhood Forum, the Barbican and Golden Lane Neighbourhood Forum

Contact Brenda Szlesinger, Liz Hirst, Peter Jenkinson and Shelagh Wright at Barbican and Golden Lane Neighbourhood

Neighbourhood planning procedures are set out in legislation the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2012 (as amended). Groups interested in establishing a neighbourhood forum should contact the Local Plans Team in order to discuss their intentions and practical details.

Community right to build

The Community Right to Build is an enabling right allowing local community organisations to undertake small-scale development in their area using a local Community Right to Build Order instead of following the usual planning application process. Making an Order is subject to consultation, examination and a local referendum before it can take effect.

There are no such Orders in the City. 

Assets of community value

Local voluntary or community organisations can nominate a building or piece of land to be included on the City Corporation's list of 'assets of community value'.

Nominations must relate to land or buildings that currently, or in the recent past, further the social well-being or social interests of the local community.

If designated, an asset of community value cannot be sold without first providing the local community with the opportunity to bid for the land or building.

Nominations for assets of community value should meet the guidelines adopted by the City Corporation for determining nominations, which are in the Planning Policy Library.

The City Corporation publishes a list of the buildings and land in the City of London that have been designated as assets of community value. Any comments or expressions of interest for new nominations should be sent to the Local Plan Team.

The City Corporation designated the Tipperary public house, 66 Fleet Street, as an Asset of Community Value at its Policy and Resources Committee on the 5 May 2022 and designated the Simpsons Tavern, 1 Bridewell Place, as an Asset of Community Value at its Policy and Resources Committee on the 15 December 2022.

Self-build and custom housebuilding register

The City Corporation, is required by the Self-Build and Customer Housebuilding Act 2015 to keep a register of people interested in self-build and custom housebuilding within the City of London and consider that register in carrying out its planning, housing and property development functions. The Housing and Planning Act 2016 defines self-build and custom housebuilding as the building or completion, by individuals, associations of individuals, or persons working with or for individuals or associations of individuals, of housing to be occupied as homes by these individuals.

To be eligible individuals must be:

• Aged 18 or over

• A British Citizen, a national of a European Economic Area State, or a national of Switzerland; and
• Seeking to acquire a serviced plot in the City of London to build a home to occupy as the individual's sole or main residence.
• For associations of individuals, all members of the association must meet all these criteria.

If you would like to be included on the City of London Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Register, complete the application form, which is in the Planning Policy Library.