Frequently Asked
Questions
If you have a specific question about Community Places and the work we do, call us on +44 (0)28 9023 9444 or +44 (0)77 8364 9288 for advice or drop us an email.
In the meantime, here’s a list of answers to the questions we’re commonly asked.
Our planning advice service is free for individuals and community groups who cannot afford to pay a planning consultant. Anyone who is not eligible for our advice service will be referred to a list of Royal Town Planning Institute-certified planning consultants or to relevant guidance literature for further help. We publish Planning Guides designed to help people understand the planning process – these are available to everyone.
Yes, our planning advice service is free for individuals and community groups who cannot afford to pay a planning consultant. We can help you prepare a response outlining your comments on the application.
Yes, our advice clinics are held in different locations across the whole region. If you know there are planning issues affecting your local community please contact us to discuss organising an outreach event. Resources permitting, we will try to facilitate this.
We are not able to complete the planning application form for you but if you are an individual or community group who cannot afford to pay a planning consultant, we can give you advice on how to do so.
Yes, our planning advice service is free for individuals and community groups who cannot afford to pay a planning consultant. We can give you advice on enforcement procedures and what you need to do if you have received a letter or enforcement notice from your local council.
Yes, our planning advice service is free for individuals and community groups who cannot afford to pay a planning consultant. We are pleased to promote and encourage community involvement in the Local Development Plan preparation process. There are opportunities for you to input to three different stages of the LDP preparation process (Preferred Options Paper, Draft Plan Strategy and Local Policies Plan) – please contact us if you would like help with this.
We can give advice on Planning Appeal procedures and on how to prepare for an appeal hearing. We can also provide advice on what a Statement of Case should contain. We cannot help you prepare a Statement of Case where we have had no prior involvement in the case and only a few weeks’ notice. We do not normally attend a planning appeal.
No, we can not help you to participate in a Judicial Review. We recommend that you seek legal representation or advice to participate in a Judicial Review. We can give you information on the procedural aspects of a Judicial Review.
We are a registered charity and not-for-profit social enterprise. We are independent and our qualified planners offer free, impartial, confidential planning advice to people and communities.
Our Planning Advice Service is part-funded by the Department for Infrastructure. We supplement this grant with income earned from consultancy work and other assignments we tender for.
Our advice service is only available to people and community groups who cannot afford a planning consultant. We are thus not able to help businesses.
If you have engaged an architect, we are not able to help you. Our advice service is only for people and community groups who cannot afford to pay a planning consultant (or other professional).
Yes, we can give you information and advice on your local Council or the Department’s complaint procedures.
No, we do not provide advice to groups or individuals who want to object to social or affordable housing.
You do not need to provide your personal details for us to give you planning advice (by telephone). However, we need to have some information on the planning issue you want help with (such as the description of the application, the address of the site, the planning application reference number, etc).
No, we do not provide advice on Building Control regulations. You need to contact the Building Control Department of your local council for advice.
We are not able to give advice to MLAs, political parties or elected representatives but we welcome referrals from them. Please ask your constituents to contact us directly for advice.
Yes, we are a membership organisation. You can apply to become a member by completing this form. Your application will be considered by our Board at its next meeting.
Yes, we can provide tailored training programmes on all our areas of work: planning, engagement, community planning and participatory budgeting. Please view our page on training if you’re interested in our training programmes or want to discuss bespoke training. Our fee depends on the scope and nature of the training.
Yes, we can help you develop a community-led plan for your area. We will work with you to design an inclusive approach which seeks to engage the wider community in the development of the plan. Our fee depends on the scope and nature of the plan.
Please contact us at hello@communityplaces.info