The role community participation has to play:
Planning matters to people. The way decisions are made influences people’s trust in local democracy and whether they feel at home in their communities.
At its best, the planning process is participative, open, and inclusive. It meets the needs and aspirations of all sections of society. This requires a democratic framework that empowers everybody to take part in decisions affecting their lives.
How the TCPA works to achieve democracy and social justice in planning
The TCPA has worked for decades with government and the private sector making the case for meaningful public participation. This is informed by our expertise in stewardship – giving communities control over the legacy of their neighbourhoods.
We also directly support communities getting engaged in planning. This includes our partnership with Planning Aid for London (PAL), which is expanding its advice and training services with our support.
Resources
The TCPA’s community participation and social justice resources can be divided in two categories:
- The first include resources for community groups and individuals who want to know how planning works and how they can get involved.
- The second are primarily aimed at planning practitioners who want to know how planning can deliver outcomes that benefit all communities and incorporate everyone’s needs and views.
Become a member
Join our community of members to access our archive of recordings from past climate related webinars and workshops and receive discounts on future events.
Local democracy
Long-term stewardship
Creating places which enable people to live healthy and fulfilling lives means providing the spaces, places and infrastructure that people need to live well and which enable the natural world to thrive. It also means empowering people to have a say on how their homes and neighbourhoods are created and managed.
Resource
Practical Hope: Inspiration for Community Action
Explore this collection of case studies, spotlighting inspiring community projects from across England – from using food as a catalyst for connection to creating skills and knowledge-sharing networks. They also contain practical advice and useful tips to help ensure that your community project is a success.
Campaign
Children and Young People
The TCPA, along with partners in the built environment sector, is working to reclaim space for children and young people.
Planning Advice
Planning Aid for London
Planning Aid for London (PAL) is London’s advice and training service on planning. PAL provides resources and advice for community groups and individuals to help them better understand how planning works and how they can influence decisions about development.
Resources
Midsteeple Quarter
Midsteeple Quarter is a community benefit society helping to bring life back into Dumfries town centre by revitalising disused buildings and making them work for the benefit of the community.
Sunnyside Community Gardens
Sunnyside Community Gardens is nurturing an inclusive green space for the local community in north London.
The importance of democratic planning
Evidence from the Town and Country Planning Association for the Planning and Infrastructure Bill committee (April 2025)
News & Blog
National Scheme of Delegation: a threat to local democracy
TCPA Director of Policy Dr, Hugh Ellis reflects on the National Scheme of Delegation and calls on Parliamentarians to oppose the…
Your Neighbourhood. Your Voice.
Planning can be complicated with many terms, rules and jargon that most people do not understand. But it does play…
Don’t Stop (thinking about planning)!
For the past four and a half years, Denean Rowe has managed Planning Aid for London, the support service for…
