Issue - meetings

Neighbourhood forums are organisations empowered to lead on the preparation of a neighbourhood plan within a defined area.

Neighbourhood planning involves the local community in developing a shared vision to help shape the future development and growth of their local area. A neighbourhood plan must proceed through several statutory stages before it can be formally ‘made’ (adopted) by the Council.

BCP Council has received two applications for designation of a neighbourhood forum and area within (i) the East Cliff and (ii) East Cliff and Springbourne Ward. Both applications extend into a small part of Bournemouth Town Centre ward. Each application was subject to a statutory public consultation inviting representations. The consultations ran in tandem between 24 February and 7 April 2025.

A prospective forum can determine what area is most suitable to plan for. However, the Local Planning Authority must first formally designate the forum (as a ‘qualifying body’) and designate the neighbourhood area, having regard to a range of factors including comments received from consultation.