Planning library
Find a resource on planning or related topics.
Many guides and leaflets have been created to support people engage with planning. Scroll down for our library and have a browse of the different resources we have collected.
Our community planning library includes over 150 resources, such as guides and articles, on planning. You can also find organisations providing services for community groups, training videos and much more. Other organisations and networks who can offer advice have also been included. They can help you with questions about tenant rights, housing and more. Or you can join one of the community-led support networks.
Do you have a resource or offer a service that should be included in the list? Please let us know by getting in touch.
How to use the library
The description of each resource explains what it is about. You can browse the library by entering a keyword in the search function (for example, 'planning application'). You can also select a theme or type you want to explore. Read more about using the library here.
What you can find in the library
Planning resources
We have divided the resources that cover planning in three categories: introduction to planning, neighbourhood planning and advanced planning. If you want to learn more about the planning system, planning applications and Local Plans, select the first category.
Theme
Our collection includes resources on topics related to planning. For example, you can read more about housing and tenant rights. The library covers twenty different themes. Before you select a topic, have a read of what each theme includes.
Learn More
Type
There are different types of resources included in the library. If you want to understand what a label means, read the explanations for each label.
Learn More
Search the planning library
Action on empty homes
Guide
Toolkit to help communities meet local housing needs utilising empty homes
Guide
Toolkit to help communities meet local housing needs utilising empty homes
Action on empty homes
Guide
Examples of community based approaches towards utilising empty homes
Guide
Examples of community based approaches towards utilising empty homes
Advice UK
Library
Directory of advice services and information sources to help you resolve your question
Library
Directory of advice services and information sources to help you resolve your question
Advice UK
Advice service
Collection of advice services who can help you with housing related queries and problems
Advice service
Collection of advice services who can help you with housing related queries and problems
Advicenow
Guide
Guidance for private renters on rental issues, eviction, and homelessness
Guide
Guidance for private renters on rental issues, eviction, and homelessness
ASF-UK – Participate
Library
Tools for doing participatory engagement and design
Library
Tools for doing participatory engagement and design
Camden Federation of Private Tenants
Advice service
Information, support and events for renters in Camden
Advice service
Information, support and events for renters in Camden
Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE)
Training and video
Video explaining how you prepare a response to a planning application (first 20 mins are most useful)
Training and video
Video explaining how you prepare a response to a planning application (first 20 mins are most useful)
Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE)
Support network
London branch of the countryside charity, supporting local groups on planning and environmental campaigns.
Support network
London branch of the countryside charity, supporting local groups on planning and environmental campaigns.
Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE)
Guide
A guide explaining the basics of planning, focussing on Local Plans and Neighbourhood Plans.
Guide
A guide explaining the basics of planning, focussing on Local Plans and Neighbourhood Plans.
Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE)
Library
Library with various guides, leaflets and other resources explaining aspects of the planning system, including: Local Plans, campaigning, climate change, and parks and green spaces.
Library
Library with various guides, leaflets and other resources explaining aspects of the planning system, including: Local Plans, campaigning, climate change, and parks and green spaces.
Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE)
Guide
A guide explaining on how you should prepare a response to a planning application and where you can find the relevant information about planning applications.
Guide
A guide explaining on how you should prepare a response to a planning application and where you can find the relevant information about planning applications.
Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE)
Guide
Guide for community groups and individuals looking to oppose a development that has been granted planning permission, or will receive planning permission soon. It explains how you can assess whether you have a case for a judicial review or a statutory challenge, and sets out how the procedure works.
Guide
Guide for community groups and individuals looking to oppose a development that has been granted planning permission, or will receive planning permission soon. It explains how you can assess whether you have a case for a judicial review or a statutory challenge, and sets out how the procedure works.
CDS co-operatives
Support network
Support for housing cooperatives and housing management services
Support network
Support for housing cooperatives and housing management services
Citizens Advice
Advice service
Find your local Citizens Advice help line and advice service.
Advice service
Find your local Citizens Advice help line and advice service.
Citizens UK
Training and video
Training offer on community leadership and organising
Training and video
Training offer on community leadership and organising
Civic Voice
Support network
Membership based organisations for civic and amenity societies
Support network
Membership based organisations for civic and amenity societies
Climate Action: tree coverage
Guide
Read how you can campaign for more trees in your local area.
Guide
Read how you can campaign for more trees in your local area.
Community development Network London
Support network
Organising collective for community development workers
Support network
Organising collective for community development workers
Community Food Growers Network
Support network
Support network for local food growers in London
Support network
Support network for local food growers in London
Community Led Homes
Library
Toolkit to help local groups engage their council and influence decisions made.
Library
Toolkit to help local groups engage their council and influence decisions made.
Community Planning Alliance
Support network
A group of campaigners from around the UK who provide support, resources and training for grassroots campaign groups, including groups in London
Support network
A group of campaigners from around the UK who provide support, resources and training for grassroots campaign groups, including groups in London
Community Planning Toolkit
Guide
Toolkit providing guidance on community engagement in planning
Guide
Toolkit providing guidance on community engagement in planning
Community Planning Toolkit
Guide
Toolkit providing guidance on how to carry out community based planning
Guide
Toolkit providing guidance on how to carry out community based planning
Community Southwark
Support network
Support for charities, community groups and individuals in Southwark
Support network
Support for charities, community groups and individuals in Southwark
Community-Led Housing London
Library
Series of guides on development and finance of community housing
Library
Series of guides on development and finance of community housing
Community-Led Housing London
Support network
Advice and support for community led housing groups
Support network
Advice and support for community led housing groups
Community-led Regeneration
Guide
Toolkit providing info on how communites can influence regeneration proposals
Guide
Toolkit providing info on how communites can influence regeneration proposals
Concrete Action
Advice service
Platform to connect professionals and communities fighting for public land and social housing in London.
Advice service
Platform to connect professionals and communities fighting for public land and social housing in London.
Concrete Action
Guide
A guide explaining how procurement takes place for a regeneration project. The guide explains how a project would ideally take place.
Guide
A guide explaining how procurement takes place for a regeneration project. The guide explains how a project would ideally take place.
Confederation of Co-operative Housing
Guide
Introduction to community led and cooperative housing
Guide
Introduction to community led and cooperative housing
Crowd-Sourced Neighbourhood Planning Bibliography
Library
Bibliography on planning
Library
Bibliography on planning
Cycling UK
Guide
An opportunity to campaign to your council for appropriate spending on cycling
Guide
An opportunity to campaign to your council for appropriate spending on cycling
Database (e)State
Guide
Short document offering advice on dealing with regeneration in your area
Guide
Short document offering advice on dealing with regeneration in your area
Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport
Guide
Government guidance on delivering community led broadband infrastructure
Guide
Government guidance on delivering community led broadband infrastructure
Disability Action Alliance
Funding
Sources of funding for community groups
Funding
Sources of funding for community groups
Estate Watch
Library
A platform providing resources for residents undergoing estate regeneration
Library
A platform providing resources for residents undergoing estate regeneration
Ethical Property Found consultancy services
Guide
Affordable consultancy services for small charities and social enterprises. Advice covers energy performance, sustainability assessments, health checks, webinar training and more.
Guide
Affordable consultancy services for small charities and social enterprises. Advice covers energy performance, sustainability assessments, health checks, webinar training and more.
Ethical Property Foundation
Advice service
Members can get free advice on property management
Advice service
Members can get free advice on property management
Ethical Property Foundation
Library
Collection of guides and articles on how to manage your property or building
Library
Collection of guides and articles on how to manage your property or building
Ethical Property Foundation
Advice service
Organisation offering property advice charities, community groups and other not-for-profit organisations
Advice service
Organisation offering property advice charities, community groups and other not-for-profit organisations
Fix My Block
Library
List of methods and actions you can use to get tower block problems and other housing issues fixed.
Library
List of methods and actions you can use to get tower block problems and other housing issues fixed.
Fix My Block campaigning
Guide
Toolkit on how you run a campaign on housing issues. Tips included on how you object to planned demolition and regeneration.
Guide
Toolkit on how you run a campaign on housing issues. Tips included on how you object to planned demolition and regeneration.
Friends of the Earth
Advice service
Free planning support for environmental public-interest cases on behalf of local groups.
Advice service
Free planning support for environmental public-interest cases on behalf of local groups.
Friends of the Earth
Guide
A guide on Local Plans and how you can get involved in their preparation
Guide
A guide on Local Plans and how you can get involved in their preparation
Friends of the Earth
Guide
Guide explaining how you should prepare a response to a planning application.
Guide
Guide explaining how you should prepare a response to a planning application.
Friends of the Earth
Guide
A guide on Environmental Impact Assessments and how to engage in the process
Guide
A guide on Environmental Impact Assessments and how to engage in the process
Friends of the Earth
Guide
A guide on Public Inquiries, planning and how to engage in the process
Guide
A guide on Public Inquiries, planning and how to engage in the process
Friends of the Earth
Guide
A guide on Judicial Reviews, planning and how to engage in the process
Guide
A guide on Judicial Reviews, planning and how to engage in the process
Friends of the Earth
Library
Set of guides on how to use your rights in the planning system
Library
Set of guides on how to use your rights in the planning system
Friends of the Earth
Guide
A guide on how to do Freedom of Information requests and obtain (planning) information from the council (part 1)
Guide
A guide on how to do Freedom of Information requests and obtain (planning) information from the council (part 1)
Friends of the Earth
Guide
A guide on how to do appeal the decision on your Freedom of Information request (part 2)
Guide
A guide on how to do appeal the decision on your Freedom of Information request (part 2)
Friends of the Earth: fund-raising
Guide
A guide by Friends of the Earth explaining how you can raise funds.
Guide
A guide by Friends of the Earth explaining how you can raise funds.
Generation rent
Advice service
Help and information on renting in the private sector
Advice service
Help and information on renting in the private sector
Generation rent
Support network
Overview of your rights as a private renter. Helps you find a renters union in your area.
Support network
Overview of your rights as a private renter. Helps you find a renters union in your area.
Grand Union Alliance
Guide
Guide explaining the ground rules for how you can involve other community members
Guide
Guide explaining the ground rules for how you can involve other community members
Greater London Authority
Evidence
Map showing the number and location of planning permissions from the London development Database (LDD)
Evidence
Map showing the number and location of planning permissions from the London development Database (LDD)
Greenspace Information for Greater London CIC (GiGL)
Evidence
Greenspace Information for Greater London CIC (GiGL) is London’s environmental records centre. They provide data on the natural environment which cam be used by community groups who are concerned about protected nature and animals in a space where a development is proposed. https://www.gigl.org.uk/about-gigl/planning-projects/planning-documents/
Evidence
Greenspace Information for Greater London CIC (GiGL) is London’s environmental records centre. They provide data on the natural environment which cam be used by community groups who are concerned about protected nature and animals in a space where a development is proposed. https://www.gigl.org.uk/about-gigl/planning-projects/planning-documents/
House Planning Help
Advice service
Comphrehensive resources on self building an environmentally friendly home
Advice service
Comphrehensive resources on self building an environmentally friendly home
Housing Law Practitioners Association
Library
Contact details for solicitors for people seeking housing law advice or representation
Library
Contact details for solicitors for people seeking housing law advice or representation
Housing Learning and Improvement Network (LIN)
Library
List of resources on various topics, including housing, health and planning.
Library
List of resources on various topics, including housing, health and planning.
Inclusion London
Support network
Training and support network for Deaf and Disabled Organisations in London
Support network
Training and support network for Deaf and Disabled Organisations in London
Just Space
Guide
Communities network Just Space covers progress of the new London Plan
Guide
Communities network Just Space covers progress of the new London Plan
Just Space
Guide
Communities network Just Space covers the Examination in Public of the New London Plan in 2019
Guide
Communities network Just Space covers the Examination in Public of the New London Plan in 2019
Just Space
Guide
Guide on how to assess the social impacts of your organisation or groups.
Guide
Guide on how to assess the social impacts of your organisation or groups.
Just Space
Guide
How you ensure research collaboration between communities groups and universities is mutually benificial
Guide
How you ensure research collaboration between communities groups and universities is mutually benificial
Just Space
Support network
Mutual-support network of community groups on planning issues in London
Support network
Mutual-support network of community groups on planning issues in London
Just Space and London Tenants Federation
Guide
Handbook for council estate residents on organising against gentrification
Guide
Handbook for council estate residents on organising against gentrification
Just Space: London Plan
Guide
Read the analysis of the latest London Plan by community alliance Just Space.
Guide
Read the analysis of the latest London Plan by community alliance Just Space.
JustMap
Support network
A collaborative mapping project looking to connect support groups across London
Support network
A collaborative mapping project looking to connect support groups across London
LandAid Charitable Trust
Library
A collection of resources on planning and property management
Library
A collection of resources on planning and property management
LandAid Charitable Trust free property advice programme
Advice service
Free property advice to charities
Advice service
Free property advice to charities
Landmark Chambers
Training and video
A webinar listing top tips on virtual planning inquiries.
Training and video
A webinar listing top tips on virtual planning inquiries.
Landmark Chambers
Library
List of resources on the planning system, including the NPPF, inquiries, Local Plans and planning case law.
Library
List of resources on the planning system, including the NPPF, inquiries, Local Plans and planning case law.
Landmark Chambers
Guide
An online summary of the National Planning Policy Framework.
Guide
An online summary of the National Planning Policy Framework.
Latin Elephant
Guide
A series of four guides with advice for small businesses and traders
Guide
A series of four guides with advice for small businesses and traders
Law Centre Network
Advice service
Find your local law centre for your legal advice service
Advice service
Find your local law centre for your legal advice service
Law for Life
Training and video
Training service for community training on how the law works.
Training and video
Training service for community training on how the law works.
Law for Life
Guide
Guide for communities looking to understand and particpate in legal processes affecting them
Guide
Guide for communities looking to understand and particpate in legal processes affecting them
Law Works
Advice service
Charity offering free legal advice to individuals and not-for-profit organisations
Advice service
Charity offering free legal advice to individuals and not-for-profit organisations
Lichfields
Guide
Guide explaining the Use class orders of the English planning system
Guide
Guide explaining the Use class orders of the English planning system
Living Streets
Library
Advice on how to reduce traffic and make your neighbourhood healthier
Library
Advice on how to reduce traffic and make your neighbourhood healthier
Living Streets
Advice service
Resources on how to set up a Low Traffic Neighbourhood and school street, to reduce traffic
Advice service
Resources on how to set up a Low Traffic Neighbourhood and school street, to reduce traffic
Local government and the Ombudsman
Guide
In some circumstances, the Ombudsman can help if you are unhappy about a decision to grant planning permission. Have a look at this fact sheet when you can complain to the Ombudsman and what they can do for you.
Guide
In some circumstances, the Ombudsman can help if you are unhappy about a decision to grant planning permission. Have a look at this fact sheet when you can complain to the Ombudsman and what they can do for you.
Local Plans by Tony Burton
Training and video
Helpful introduction to the planning system and the role of the Local Plan, focussing on Merton Local Plan.
Training and video
Helpful introduction to the planning system and the role of the Local Plan, focussing on Merton Local Plan.
Local Plans status map
Guide
The Greater London Authority has created a dashboard with the aim of helping you find out more about the status of the local plans in London.
Guide
The Greater London Authority has created a dashboard with the aim of helping you find out more about the status of the local plans in London.
London Citizens
Support network
An alliance of civil society organisations in London
Support network
An alliance of civil society organisations in London