Date: 27 June 2025
Wychavon has announced a new funding initiative to support local and town parishes in continuing their Neighbourhood Planning efforts. Following the Government’s June 2025 Spending Review, the previously available government grant funding of £10,000 for all parishes and town councils for neighbourhood planning has been withdrawn.
In response to this funding shortfall, Wychavon has committed to providing £10,000 in funding for Neighbourhood Planning to all its parish and town councils.
Emma Kearsey, Executive Board Member for Planning, Infrastructure and Urban Design, said, “I have long been an advocate of neighbourhood plans, which is why the Wychavon Promises include promotion and support of them. I want it to be that every community in Wychavon has a neighbourhood plan in place.
“Neighbourhood development plans are true democracy in action and are the vehicle for residents to decide what and where development happens in their villages/towns. It allows for the protection of any form of development in allocated areas of local green space, and it enables policies to be made that meet the unique priorities of each village or town.
“The removal of the funding for neighbourhood planning would mean that individual parishes would need to raise over £10,000. That is why, at Wychavon, when we became aware of the Government's withdrawal of this essential funding, we acted fast and immediately decided to fund this for new and revised neighbourhood development plans. With the increasing number of housing units allocated to Wychavon by the Government, I strongly urge parish and town councils to embark on producing a neighbourhood development plan now, if they aren’t already.”
This funding opportunity demonstrates Wychavon’s commitment to empowering residents and promoting community-backed development. By continuing to fund Neighbourhood Planning in Wychavon, we are placing parish and town councils at the heart of the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP).
With this funding, Wychavon is ensuring that residents, businesses, and stakeholders can effectively collaborate to shape local land use, making sure that community needs and aspirations are prioritised.
Notes:
Parishes and Towns interested in discussing their Neighbourhood Planning efforts can contact the Planning Policy Team at Wychavon
