Neighbourhood Development Order: Introduction and Background

What is a Neighbourhood Development Order?

A Neighbourhood Development Order (NDO) grants planning permission for the type of development described in the NDO, which can be subject to planning conditions and limitations like a permission obtained using a planning application.

Unlike a planning application, an NDO is independently examined before being approved by the local planning authority to go to a referendum vote of the local community. The NDO is ‘made’ and planning permission is granted if there is a majority ‘yes’ vote. Before a scheme can be implemented any planning conditions attached to the NDO must be discharged by the local planning authority, and any other licenses or approvals would need to be obtained, again in the normal way.

An NDO can only be prepared by a ‘qualifying body’ such as the Blacon Neighbourhood Alliance (BNA) per Section 61E(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended). Once completed it is the job of the local planning authority to organise the examination and referendum. The qualifying body does not necessarily have to implement the NDO itself; this can be done by anyone with a control of the land.

The Blacon Community NDO

This NDO is intended to implement Policy BLACON1 of the Blacon Community Neighbourhood Plan which proposes a new Sports & Community Hub on the sports ground at Cairns Crescent. The newly formed charity, the Blacon Community Trust (BCT), will take responsibility for obtaining control of the land and all the necessary permissions and for fundraising to develop the buildings. Its Trustees have worked closely with the BNA to ensure that the Neighbourhood Plan policy and the NDO will enable it to deliver a successful development scheme.

This is a draft version of the NDO for consultation with the local community and other stakeholders. It is published by the BNA for comment alongside the draft Neighbourhood Plan under Regulation 21 of the Regulations.

The BNA and BCT will review the comments received before finalising both the Plan and the NDO for submission to the local planning authority, Cheshire West & Chester (CWaC), to arrange the examination.

The idea for improving access to sports and community facilities in Blacon have evolved over a number of years as a result of the local community wanting to fill gaps in local provision. The proposed scheme is the result of a Feasibility Study commissioned by the BNA in October 2024 to test where and how these needs could be met. The design proposals and a technical description of the NDO and its planning conditions are set out in separate tabs.

More information on how the BNA has engaged the community in shaping the proposals and on how the proposals fit with national and local planning policy is set out in the Basic Conditions and Consultation Statement tab. Finally, other supporting documents can be found on the Evidence tab.

Consultation Details

Comments on the proposals and content of the NDO and its other published documents are welcomed from everyone living and working in Blacon as well as local organisations and landowners. They must be made either by email to secretary@BlaconNeighbourhoodAlliance.co.uk or by post to Blacon Neighbourhood Alliance, c/o 33 Ashfield Crescent, Blacon, Chester CH1 5AU by 5th May 2025 at the latest. Any comments made after that deadline may not be considered by the BNA.