Step 9: Wait

After you submit your revised Neighbourhood Plan (NP), Birmingham City Council (BCC) will put it out for consultation (which includes publishing it on the BCC website) for any final views from the local community: people who live, work or do business in the area.

Your draft NP and this latest feedback will then be sent to an examiner. 

The examiner is an independent expert with a lot of planning experience, brought in to ensure your NP meets the necessary legal checks.

BCC will suggest an examiner to you, but it is a joint decision between your Neighbourhood Planning Forum and BCC. You both have to agree on who is appointed.

The examiner will assess the content of your Neighbourhood Plan (NP) - and consider any comments from the previous stage - to make sure it meets the necessary legal checks.

Locality has a guide outlining how to prepare for examination and what to expect.  

BCC’s Planning department will be leading your NP process at this point, ensuring every step is followed correctly.

BCC’s Neighbourhood Development and Support Unit, Locality and Birmingham Community Matters have valuable support to offer too. The advice and guidance page has more information.