Emerging neighbourhood plans
The first steps in creating a neighbourhood plan are:
- officially defining the area it will cover
- setting the plan's boundary
Ladywood Neighbourhood Forum and Neighbourhood Area designation
Community members in Ladywood submitted an application requesting the designation of a neighbourhood area.
In line with Neighbourhood Planning Regulations, we carried out the required statutory consultations between 16 April and 29 May 2026.
The application for the neighbourhood area was designated on 30 July 2026.
Download the designation of Ladywood Neighbourhood Area decision notice
The application for the neighbourhood forum was designated on 9 September 2026.
Download the designation of Ladywood Neighbourhood Forum decision notice
Soho and Handsworth Neighbourhood Forum and Neighbourhood Area designation
Community members in Soho and Handsworth submitted an application requesting the designation of a neighbourhood planning forum and a neighbourhood area.
In line with Neighbourhood Planning Regulations, we carried out the required statutory consultations.
On 23 October 2025, the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills approved the application for the designation of the Soho and Handsworth Neighbourhood Plan Forum and Area boundary.
Download the official decision notice and related documents:
Download all Soho and Handsworth Neighbourhood Forum application documents
How you can get involved
If you want to get involved in a neighbourhood plan for Soho and Handsworth, email the emerging Neighbourhood Plan Forum sohohandsworth@outlook.com.
Small Heath Neighbourhood Forum and Neighbourhood Area designation
The Small Heath Neighbourhood Forum and Neighbourhood Area were designated by a cabinet member decision of the Deputy Leader, Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, on 8 August 2024.
The neighbourhood forum, in accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations, is established to promote or improve the area's social, economic, and environmental wellbeing, as outlined in the application.
In accordance with the regulations, the neighbourhood forum has taken reasonable steps to secure membership of 21 members from different sections of the community and area, to include:
- at least one individual who lives or works in the neighbourhood area
- one elected member of the council
The public consultation for the neighbourhood forum and area application took place from Wednesday 8 May to Thursday 20 June 2024.
See Birmingham Be Heard for more information on the consultation response.
The application includes:
- the geographic neighbourhood plan boundary
- a statement of how community members meet the regulations to become the relevant body to prepare a neighbourhood development plan
- a proposed constitution
- details of consultation events that were held in the area
Download all Small Heath Neighbourhood Area and Neighbourhood Forum application documents
Planning themes the neighbourhood forum wants to explore in a neighbourhood plan are set out in the application, and include:
- local planning (incorporating housing and employment)
- open spaces
- green spaces
- planning and development of the Coventry Road
- reduction of poverty and promotion of opportunities for residents and businesses
- youth initiatives and development
Next steps
Designating a neighbourhood plan forum and area is the first stage of the process for members of the local community to start developing a community-led neighbourhood development plan. We have a statutory duty to support the process.
No other body can be designated to prepare a neighbourhood development plan for the designated area until the designation, in accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations:
- expires
- is withdrawn
The designated neighbourhood forum can now apply for government-funded technical support to prepare an evidence-based, and draft the neighbourhood development plan.
The neighbourhood forum will then lead a formal consultation with the local community on draft proposals.
The neighbourhood development plan is subject to an independent examination and a local referendum before it is "made".
How you can get involved
If you want to get involved in the neighbourhood plan for Small Heath, email the Neighbourhood Plan Forum smallheathplan@outlook.com.
Email: Developmentplanninggroup@birmingham.gov.uk or NDSU@birmingham.gov.uk.
Page last updated: 9 September 2026