Emerging neighbourhood plans
Soho and Handsworth Neighbourhood Forum and Neighbourhood Area Designation
The first step in creating a Neighbourhood Plan is to officially define the area it will cover and form a Neighbourhood Forum to define the boundary that the plan will cover.
Community members in Soho and Handsworth submitted an application to us requesting the designation of both a Neighbourhood Planning Forum and a Neighbourhood Area.
In line with Neighbourhood Planning regulations, the council carried out the required statutory consultations. Following this process, on the 23 of 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.
You can view the official decision notice and related documents below:
- Notice of decision – Designation of Soho and Handsworth Neighbourhood Forum and Area (October 2025)
- Download all Soho and Handsworth Neighbourhood Forum application documents
How you can get involved
If you wish 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
Small Heath Neighbourhood Forum and Neighbourhood Area was designated by a Cabinet member decision by the Deputy Leader, Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills on 8 August 2024.
The Neighbourhood Forum is in accordance with Neighbourhood Planning regulations, established for the purpose of promoting or improving the social, economic and environmental well-being of the area as outlined in the application.
The Neighbourhood Forum has, in accordance with NP regulations, taken reasonable steps to secure membership of 21 members (to include at least one individual who lives or works in the neighbourhood area and one elected member of the Council) and from different sections of the community and area.
The public consultation for the Neighbourhood Forum and area application took place from Wednesday, 8 May to Thursday, 20 June 2024 in accordance with Neighbourhood Planning regulations.
See Beheard for further information on the consultation response received.
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 and 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 wish to explore in an NP are set out in the application and include:
- Local planning (incorporating housing and employment)
- Open spaces and 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
The designation of a Neighbourhood Plan Forum and area is the first stage of the process for members of the local community to begin forming a Neighbourhood Development Plan, which is community led. The council 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 expires or is withdrawn in accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations.
The designated Neighbourhood Forum can now apply for government-funded technical support to prepare an evidence base 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 directly smallheathplan@outlook.com.
Contact: Developmentplanninggroup@birmingham.gov.uk or NDSU@birmingham.gov.uk
Page last updated: 6 November 2025
