Community Right to Build

The Community Right to Build gives local people the power to decide where and when to build homes, shops, community facilities and businesses, without the need for traditional planning permission. This means communities can shape their own neighbourhoods.

The Community Right to Build came into force on 6 April 2012 and forms part of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations made following the Localism Act 2011.

Types of developments

Depending on their needs, communities can build:

• Family homes to sell on the open market
• Affordable housing for rent (including converting disused farm buildings)
• Sheltered housing for older residents
• Starter homes for young local families struggling to get on the housing ladder
• Community centres, children’s playgrounds and other facilities.

Community benefits

Any profits or benefits from these projects will be managed by a community organisation on behalf of the whole neighbourhood.

More information

For more information, see the MyCommunity website.