The Mayor and local authorities must make space in London’s complex planning system for neighbourhood plans if local people are to effectively wield the power the Localism Act promises them, a new London Assembly report says today.

Based on in-depth consultation with groups who are already developing neighbourhood plans – and those who would like to – the Planning and Housing Committee's report captures the challenges of defining neighbourhoods and making plans a reality in London, and sets down markers to light the way.

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'Beyond consultation' concludes that the Mayor, ward councillors, borough planners, developers and community groups themselves will need to pull together if neighbourhood plans are to result in genuine place-shaping and have a realistic chance of holding their own against strategic planning objectives.

The Committee calls on the Mayor to set out in his Supplementary Planning Guidance how neighbourhood plans should be incorporated within the existing planning hierarchy, and help set up a neighbourhood planning network to encourage exploratory work and the sharing of best practice.

Recognising the pressure on already stretched resources, the Committee urges boroughs to look at ways of modifying their current planning teams and approach, and the Local Government Association is asked to issue guidance on the role local councillors could play in supporting community groups.

(CD/GK)