According to Government statistics, more than 200 Neighbourhood Plans have now been approved through local referenda. A further 1,900 neighbourhood plan areas have been designated, the first step in the neighbourhood plan creation process.

This landmark is to be welcomed: neighbourhood planning has the capacity to help communities realise their aspirations for their area and create places where they are happier and healthier, in particular against the backdrop of cuts to local authority planning departments since 2010.