Community Led Planning
Community Led Planning is a tried and tested approach that helps local people to explore the needs for their area, set priorities and plan actions. Plan might cover many areas in a locality or specific issues. ACT supports communities to help them work through the process and realise their aspirations.
ACT can provide the following support:
Details of relevant contacts at Local Authorities and other key agencies.
Guidance sheets and video case study.
Support to access grant funding towards producing your plan.
Questionnaire guide.
Advice throughout the CLP process.
Signposting to information and funding.
We can also come out to meet your group, answer questions and deliver workshops.
Finished Plan on the ACT website.
What you will need to do:
Gather a group of people together to work on your plan.
Think about the type of plan you want.
Have a named contact for your CLP.
Plan and budget for the production of your CLP.
Consider funding available to produce a CLP.
Contact key officers in Local Authorities and relevant agencies at start of process.
Use at least three different ways of consulting people in your community.
Share your draft action plan with ACT and specific contacts at your local authority and any other relevant organisations.
Provide a copy of your finished plan.
Feedback to ACT about delivery of your action plan; successes, challenges etc
Community Led Planning Grants:
Community Led Planning groups can apply to ACT for a grant to support community consultation activity and production of the Plan. Contact us at ACT for more information and an application form.
Westmorland & Furness – South Lakeland locality: Up to £1,500
Westmorland & Furness – Eden locality: Up to £500
All other areas: Up to £500
Neighbourhood Planning:
Whilst Community Led Plans can cover anything which the community thinks is important, in areas where there is specific interest in spatial planning, for example, where buildings should go and what they look like, Neighbourhood Planning should be considered. You can read more about it here.
You can read more about the key differences between Community Led Plans and Neighbourhood Plans here.
Neighbourhood Planning Grant – A £150 grant is available in the Eden Locality. Please contact us for more information.
Community Emergency Planning:
Some communities are choosing to augment Community Emergency Plans to help them manage in cases of emergency. Whilst, extreme weather, like flooding and heavy snow, are the most common incidents we face, there are a range of others that could occur, such as gas leaks or fires. A plan helps people through all stages of an emergency, from preparation beforehand to assisting with recovery after the event, so it is important to consider. Find out more on our Community Emergency Planning page.
Valley Plans:
Valley plans focus on a whole valley, water catchment area. Much like Community Led Planning, the community takes the lead in identifying its own needs, while also being informed of the priorities of the partner agencies that affect the environment and services delivered there. ACT piloted this approach in Borrowdale, Wasdale and Ullswater, working closely with the Lake District National Park who have plans to work with more communities across the Park in the future.
Useful Resources:
Who to work with and how to engage them:
Toolkits & Workbooks:
Sustainable Communities Workbook: A discussion tool to help assess your community’s sustainability and plan for the future.
Questionnaire Design Guide: This guide introduces writing questionnaires, the types of questions to avoid, how to ensure your survey is accessible to all, and how to analyse the results.
Case Studies:
Community Led Plans
Aikton Parish Plan 2012
Allhallows Parish Plan 2003
Allonby Parish Plan 2008
Aspatria Rural Partnership Community Plan 2011
Covers the Parishes: Aspatria, Bromfield, Allhallows, Westnewton, Allonby, Plumbland, Blennerhasset and Torpenhow, Hayton & Mealo, and Oughterside & Allerby.
Bassenthwaite Community Plan 2014
Blennerhasset and TorpenhowParish Plan 2006
Borrowdale Parish Plan 2004
Bothel and Threapland Parish Plan 2003
Bowness On Solway Parish Plan 2004
Bridekirk Parish Plan 2003
Brigham Parish Plan 2003
Broughton Parish Pan 2002-2007
Caldbeck Parish Plan 2005
Camerton Parish Plan 2005
Dearham Parish Plan2003
Embleton and District Parish Plan spring 2013
Gilcrux Parish Plan 2003
Holme Low with Holme – Holme St Cuthberts Community Plan 2012
Covers the Parishes: Holme Low and Holme St Cuthberts
Kirkbampton Community Plan 2009
Little Clifton Parish Plan 2005
Maryport Town Plan 2004
Melbreak Communities Community Plan 2011
Covers the Parishes: Blindbothel, Buttermere, Lorton, and Loweswater
Plumbland Parish Plan 2004
Sebergham and Welton Parish Plan 2011
St Johns, Castlerigg and Wythburn Parish Plan 2004
Thursby Parish Plan 2004
Underskiddaw Parish Plan 2007
Westward and Rosley Community Plan 2007
Beaumont PP 2013-2018 (Summary)
Beaumont PP 2013-2018
Brampton and Area Parish Plan Summary 2005
Covers the Parishes of Castle Carrock and Geltsdale, Upper Denton, Hayton, Brampton, Nether Denton, Irthington, Farlam and Burtholme
Burgh by Sands Parish Plan Summary Design Statement 2003
Cummersdale Community Plan 2009 – 2014
Cumwhitton Parish Plan 2004
Dalston Parish Plan 2005 – 2015
Gilsland Village Plan (Waterhead, Upper Denton) 2006
Hethersgill Parish Plan 2006
Irthington Community Plan 2011
Orton Parish Plan 2005-2010
Scaleby Community Led Plan – May 2013
Stanwix Rural Parish Plan 2007
Stanwix Rural Parish Plan 2012-2016 Walton Community Led Plan Update 2013
Walton Parish Plan 2007
Wetheral Parish Community Action Plan 2010
Wetheral Parish Plan 2005
Arlecdon and Frizington Parish Plan 2005
Bootle Community Plan 2009
Cleator Moor Town Plan 2005
Distington Big Local Plan
Distington Parish Plan 2005
Drigg and Carleton Community Led Plan 2016
Drigg and Carleton Parish Plan 2008
Ennerdale and Kinniside Community Led Plan 2018-2023
Ennerdale and Kinniside Parish Plan 2005
Gosforth Parish Plan 2012
Haile and Wilton Parish Plan 2004
Howgate Ward Plan 2003 (Lowca Moresby Parton)
Howgate-Distington Community Plan 2012
Howgate-Distington Community Plan 2009
Lamplugh Parish Plan 2003
Millom Action Plan March 2012
Muncaster Parish Plan 2007
Seascale Community Plan 2012
St Bees Parish Plan 2006
Waberthwaite and Corney Parish Plan 2004
Wasdale Parish Plan 2005
Weddicar Parish Plan 2005
Whicham Community Plan Oct 2012
Ainstable Parish Plan Leaflet 2007
Alston Community Plan 2011-2016
Alston Moor Parish Plan 2002
Askham Parish Council Plan 2010
Bampton Parish Plan 2012
Barton Community Led Plan 2014 – 2017
Culgaith Community Led Plan 2013 – Summary Actions
Culgaith Community Led Plan 2013
Culgaith Parish Plan 2004
Dacre Parish Plan 2014-2019
Great Salkeld Parish Plan 2008
Heart of Eden Community Plan 2009
Covers the Parishes of Appleby, Asby, Bandleyside, Bolton, Crackenthorpe, Dufton, Kirkby Thore, Long Marton, Milburn, Murton, Newbiggin and Temple Sowerby.
Hutton Community Plan 2008
Covers the Parish of Hutton and the village of Motherby.
Kirkoswald Parish Council Community Led Plan 2012
Lazonby Parish Plan 2005
Lyvennet Valley Community Plan 2009
Covers the Parishes of Crosby Ravensworth and Kings Meaburn.
Ousby Community Plan 2023 – 2028
Ousby Melmerby Community Plan 2014 – 2019
Penrith Community Plan 2016
Shap Parish Plan 2005
Skelton Community Action Plan 2011 Leaflet
Skelton Parish Community Action Plan 2011
Sockbridge and Tirril Community Led Plan 2018-2030
Threlkeld Parish Plan 2004
Upper Eden Community Plan 2008 and Upper Eden Community Plan Review 2020
Covers the 17 Parishes of Kirkby Stephen, Crosby Garrett, Musgrave, Brough, Brough Sowerby, Kaber, Stainmore, Waitby, Mallerstang, Wharton, Ravenstonedale, Hartley, Warcop, Helbeck, Soulby, Winton and Nateby.
Aldingham Parish Plan 2010
Arnside Parish Plan 2003-2008
Arnside Parish Plan Review 2008
Barbon 2011
Barbon Parish Plan 2005
Beetham Parsih Plan 2008
Broughton (Duddon) CP 2016
Broughton Community Plan 2021
Broughton/Duddon Parish Plan 2002
Burneside Community Led Plan 2010
Burneside Parish Plan 2004
Burton in Kendal Parish Plan 2003
Casterton Parish Plan 2002
Claife Community Plan 2013
Claife Community Plan Summary 2013
Colton Parish Plan 2003
Colton Community Plan 2015
Colton Parish Plan 2024
Coniston Parish Plan 2004
Coniston Parish Plan 2012
Crosthwaite & Lyth Parish Plan 2007
Dent Parish Plan 2008
Egton with Newland, Mansriggs, & Osmotherley Parish Plan 2006
Grange over Sands Community Led Plan 2014
Grange over Sands Community Led Plan 2014 Summary
Hawkshead Parish Plan 2006
Helsington Community Led Plan 2017
Helsington Community Led Plan Summary 2017
Holme Parish Plan 2004
Kendal Fellside and Greenside Community Plan 2016
Kirkby Ireleth Parish Plan 2006
Lakes Parish Plan 2005
Levens Village Plan 2008
Longsleddale 2010
Lower Allithwaite Community Plan 2013
Lowick Parish Plan 2005
Natland Parish Plan 2004
Natland Parish Plan 2014
Natland Parish Plan Summary 2014
New Hutton Parish Plan 2011
Preston Richard Community Plan 2015
Preston Richard Community Plan Summary 2015
Sedgwick Parish Plan 2004
Skelsmergh and Scalthwaiterigg Community Plan 2009
Skelsmergh and Scalthwaiterigg Community Plan 2015
Stainton Community Plan 2010
Stainton Parish Plan 2003
Staveley and Ings Parish Plan 2013
Staveley with Ings Parish Plan 2006
Torver Parish 2010 Action Plan
Torver Parish Plan 2010 Appendices
Torver Parish Plan 2010
Upper Allithwaite Community Plan 2008
Urswick Parish Plan 2006
Windermere Community Plan 2006
Windermere Community Plan Revision 2009
Witherslack Parish Plan 2004



