ONH Planning for Good
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onhplanning.bsky.social
ONH Planning for Good
@onhplanning.bsky.social
Neighbourhood Plan & local development specialists, delivering for communities through planning
RTPI Small Planning Consultancy of the Year, South East 2024
www.oneillhomer.co.uk
🌱 Planning for the future starts with a strong budget! Councils: now is the time to start thinking about how you will allocate funds for planning activities.

The loss of the Neighbourhood Plan grant, and changes to appeals mean knowing when to ask for expert advice is more important than ever.
July 25, 2025 at 11:05 AM
📢 New Research Highlight: The Hidden Role of Planning Consultants in Neighbourhood Planning
Delighted to share that Neil Homer, Managing Director at ONH, contributed to this research, exploring the role that consultants play in supporting communities in NPing www.oneillhomer.co.uk/post/disenta...
July 16, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Another success story (and a case that made the Daily Mail!) ONH supported Stoke Poges Council in their objection to a home owner extension that substantially differed from the original approved design.
Read more about how ONH approached this case on our blog: www.oneillhomer.co.uk/post/stoke-p...
Stoke Poges Inappropriate Development Planning Application Refused
The ONH team successfully supported Stoke Poges Parish Council in a planning application case where the build out of a home owner's extension substantially differed from the original approved design.
www.oneillhomer.co.uk
July 15, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Reminder: there are three national planning consultations with deadlines this month! Of interest to communities are proposals to change who makes planning decisions, and speeding up and simplifying consent for smaller and medium-sized development sites:
www.oneillhomer.co.uk/post/consult...
Consultation frenzy: three national planning consultations with deadlines this month
The Government has published a suite of ‘working papers’ on aspects of its planning reform proposals. We take a look at each to come to a view on how well they have understood the issues and how well ...
www.oneillhomer.co.uk
July 1, 2025 at 3:44 PM
In disappointing but not unexpected news this morning, Neighbourhood Planning grants have been discontinued. www.oneillhomer.co.uk/post/neighbo...
Neighbourhood Planning Grant Discontinued
The news that there will be no new neighbourhood plan programme is disappointing but not unexpected.
www.oneillhomer.co.uk
June 12, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Delighted to have supported Newport, Qendon & Rickling in their objection to this scheme, which would have been against the Neighbourhood Plan.
www.oneillhomer.co.uk/post/plannin...
Planning Application Refusal at Wicken Road: A Victory for Local Landscape and Heritage
ONH supports parish in successful formal objection to a significant new housing development outside the settlement boundary.
www.oneillhomer.co.uk
May 28, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Town and parishes - are you seeking practical inspiration on how to work more effectively with your community and local partners?
👉 Horsford Parish Council has turned co-operative working into a model of trust and tangible community benefit: www.oneillhomer.co.uk/post/coopera...
Cooperative Working in Horsford: A Model for Building Trust and Delivering Community Value
In today’s planning environment, collaboration is not a luxury — it is essential. Whether navigating neighbourhood planning, or engaging with developers and local authorities, in many cases it falls t...
www.oneillhomer.co.uk
May 21, 2025 at 9:59 AM
It's just over two weeks until our free Cheshire Neighbourhood Planning: What Next event on Tuesday 3rd June! Don't forget to register online. Full details here:
www.oneillhomer.co.uk/post/meet-th...
Meet the team: upcoming ONH events
Would you like to meet the ONH team? We'll be at these upcoming events.
www.oneillhomer.co.uk
May 16, 2025 at 10:43 AM
The first ONH digital design code has now been published! This is an exciting milestone for ONH as we work to create a future for community-led planning that is accessible, clear, easy to navigate and understand:
www.oneillhomer.co.uk/post/digital...
Digital Design Codes: Does your area need one?
The first digital design code produced by ONH, for Sandleheath in the New Forest, has now been published.
www.oneillhomer.co.uk
May 15, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Do you have questions about planning? Would you like to meet the ONH team? We're going to be out and about throughout June - starting with our completely free Cheshire 'Neighbourhood Planning: What Next?' event on 2nd June.
Book your place online: shorturl.at/kNf53
Cheshire Neighbourhood Planning: What Next? Free Event Booking-ONH
At Tarvin Community Centre, Tuesday 3rd June 2025, from 7.15pm - 8.30pm This free event is for Clerks, Town & Parish Councillors and Community Forums in Cheshire & Warrington and is hosted by neighbou...
shorturl.at
May 12, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Did you find our introduction to Settlement Spatial Planning intriguing? Taking a coordinated approach to the development of each place at the neighbourhood level can lead to unlocking enormous potential. Take Benson and their need for a relief road: www.oneillhomer.co.uk/post/village...
Case study: Benson village relief road
Neighbourhood plans can deliver community infrastructure - but what else needs to be in place to create a successful project?
www.oneillhomer.co.uk
May 7, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Come and meet the team! We'll be out and about throughout June, and would love to talk to you about your planning projects and problems: www.oneillhomer.co.uk/post/meet-th...
May 6, 2025 at 4:45 PM
(Green) Fade to Grey...
www.oneillhomer.co.uk/post/green-b...
As planning application decisions by Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) and appeal Inspectors start to rack up in favour of housing schemes in the Grey Belt, so we have begun to deliver our first Grey Belt Studies for local communities.
(Green [Belt]) Fade to Grey …
As planning application decisions by Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) and appeal Inspectors start to rack up in favour of housing schemes in the Grey Belt, so we have begun to deliver our first Grey ...
www.oneillhomer.co.uk
May 6, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Great news yesterday for our client Burghclere: Modified NP pivotal in refusal of a speculative application outside the settlement boundary.
www.oneillhomer.co.uk/post/neighbo...
Neighbourhood Plan Powers In Action: Rural parish wins appeal using NPPF Paragraph 14
In a significant victory for local place-making, Burghclere Parish's Modified Neighbourhood Plan played a pivotal role in successfully resisting a speculative planning appeal for a housing development...
www.oneillhomer.co.uk
May 1, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Much discussion continues on the importance of strategic growth for the future of the UK - and Town and Parish Councils have been stepping up to consider the future implications for their area, from the risks to the potential gains:
www.oneillhomer.co.uk/post/pressur...
From Pressure to Prosperity: How Councils Can Harness Growth for Good through Settlement Spatial Plans
Across England, parish and town councils are stepping up to shape the future of their communities. But, with development pressures rising and government policy even more focused on growth, town and pa...
www.oneillhomer.co.uk
April 29, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Ever wondered what a HELAA is and how it's relevant to local areas? Here's our quick explainer:
www.oneillhomer.co.uk/post/what-is...?
What is a HELAA or SLAA?
What is a HELAA? And how can reviewing this document help when developing a Neighbourhood Plan?
www.oneillhomer.co.uk
April 23, 2025 at 2:16 PM
It's always lovely to receive feedback like this from our Clients - ONH takes it's social mission seriously, and we are always here to help communities engage with all their planning needs.
Could we help support your project? Get in touch www.oneillhomer.co.uk
April 8, 2025 at 11:26 AM
An ONH confession - we love talking about our projects! Here's a sneak peek into how some of our current urban clients have been using digital tools to progress their projects:
www.oneillhomer.co.uk/post/urban-u...
Urban neighbourhood plan updates: ONH on the road
An ONH confession - we love sharing the progress of our projects. Here's an update from the last few months, focusing on a selection of our current town and city projects:Digital planners:Many of our...
www.oneillhomer.co.uk
April 2, 2025 at 4:12 PM
ONH have been working with Nailsea to identify the best options to improve community facilities in the area. Here's how we have approached the request for a feasibility study: www.oneillhomer.co.uk/post/case-st...
Case Study: Nailsea plans for the future with a planning feasibility study
Explore how ONH have supported Nailsea's Planning feasibility study and paved the way for planned changes that will benefit the community and local businesses.
www.oneillhomer.co.uk
March 28, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Whatever you think about the introduction of grey belt to green belt, if your Council is impacted it's worth spending some time considering how this might impact development in the area, and what options there might be for Neighbourhood Planners. ONHs view: www.oneillhomer.co.uk/post/the-gre...
The Grey Belt and Neighbourhood Plans
The Government’s publication of the PPG on its new Grey Belt policy last week the impact on green belt villages is significant
www.oneillhomer.co.uk
March 18, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Morning BlueSky! Two new ONH Neighbourhood Plans officially 'made' over the last few months. Both with strategic implications to consider. (Spot HS2 under construction just in the background of this image of Westbury below) Image with thanks © RobSpicerPhoto.com
www.oneillhomer.co.uk/post/westbur...
Westbury and Berinsfield Neighbourhood Plans Made
Explore the stories of Westbury and Berinsfield's Made Neighbourhood Plans, utilising strategic planning and local knowledge.
www.oneillhomer.co.uk
March 10, 2025 at 12:06 PM
A positive and well grounded article on Devolution and planning. And the first to spot the value of town/parish councils “stepping up to the plate”. Have to laugh at the author trying desperately hard not to mention neighbourhood planning though!
How bigger councils could transform public sector planning careers, by Graeme Bell
www.planningresource.co.uk
March 5, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Here's Deddington, Clifton and Hempton: a trio of villages who worked together and allocated a higher number of homes than required for their neighbourhood plan to secure a much needed new nursery and public car park.
Find out more about how ONH got involved:
www.oneillhomer.co.uk/post/case-st...
Deddington Neighbourhood Plan
Secures a nursery and car park, by allocating above the required dwelling number.
www.oneillhomer.co.uk
February 24, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Last year, we supported Newport Pagnell Town Council in a case where the Local Planning Authority had refused permission for a scheme to move the Town Council to a historic building in the town. We supported the Council as a rule six party, and were successful: www.oneillhomer.co.uk/post/case-st...
Case Study: Newport Pagnell Planning Appeal
Planning permission refused? Discover more about how we supported Newport Pagnell Town Council to move into the old Police Station building.
www.oneillhomer.co.uk
February 18, 2025 at 9:58 AM
We are delighted to have sent a letter to Minister of State Matthew Pennycook on behalf of the Alliance of Independent Neighbourhood Planning Consultants regarding the Government's commitment to neighbourhood planning and the role these plans play in supporting development.
#neighbourhoodplans
February 17, 2025 at 6:31 PM