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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


Action on 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


Advice UK
Guide

Series of guides and articles to help you deal with housing problems


Advice UK
Advice service

Collection of advice services who can help you with housing related queries and problems


Advice4Renters
Advice service

Legal advice service for tenants on housing


Advicenow
Guide

Guidance for private renters on rental issues, eviction, and homelessness


Advicenow
Library

A collection of guides to help solve your legal problem


Advicenow
Advice service

An overview of different advice services in London


Age UK
Advice service

Advice service for the elderly


ASF-UK – Participate
Library

Tools for doing participatory engagement and design


Big Lottery Fund
Funding

Grants for voluntary and community organisations


Build It
Guide

Detailed guide on predicting costs for house extensions


Camden Federation of Private Tenants
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)


Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE)
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.


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.


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.


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.


CDS co-operatives
Support network

Support for housing cooperatives and housing management services


Citizens Advice
Advice service

Find your local Citizens Advice help line and advice service.


Citizens UK
Training and video

Training offer on community leadership and organising


Civic Voice
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.


Community development Network London
Support network

Organising collective for community development workers


Community Food Growers Network
Support network

Support network for local food growers in London


Community Led Homes
Library

Resources on how to do community led housing


Community Led Homes
Support network

Support hub for community led housing


Community Led Homes
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


Community Planning Toolkit
Guide

Toolkit providing guidance on community engagement in planning


Community Planning Toolkit
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


Community-Led Housing London
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


Community-led Regeneration
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.


Concrete Action
Guide

A guide explaining the basics of the planning process.


Concrete Action
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


Create streets
Guide

Introductory guide to developing a neighbourhood plan


Crowd-Sourced Neighbourhood Planning Bibliography
Library

Bibliography on planning


Cycling UK
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


Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport
Guide

Government guidance on delivering community led broadband infrastructure


Disability Action Alliance
Funding

Sources of funding for community groups


Estate Watch
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.


Ethical Property Foundation
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


Ethical Property Foundation
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.


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.


Friends of the Earth
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


Friends of the Earth
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


Friends of the Earth
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


Friends of the Earth
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)


Friends of the Earth
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.


Generation rent
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.


Get Rent Back
Guide

Guide on how to make a Rent Repayment Order application


Grand Union Alliance
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)


House Planning Help
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


Housing Learning and Improvement Network (LIN)
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


Just Space
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


Just Space
Guide

Community network Just Space response to the draft London Plan


Just Space
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


Just Space
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


Just Space: London Plan
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


LandAid Charitable Trust
Library

A collection of resources on planning and property management


LandAid Charitable Trust free property advice programme
Advice service

Free property advice to charities


Landmark Chambers
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.


Landmark Chambers
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


Law Centre Network
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.


Law for Life
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


Lichfields
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


Living Streets
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.


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.


London Citizens
Support network

An alliance of civil society organisations in London


London Community Land Trust
Library

Helpful resources on how to set up a community land trust to deliver affordable housing


London Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies
Support network

A network of over 100 amenity and civic societies based in London