Given the demanding and complex nature of the process, the requirement for conformity with the local plan and the requirement for referendum, it seems to me that communities should ask themselves whether a Neighbourhood Plan is the right tool for the job. i) If the community is looking to make some hard decisions about development for itself, it seems to me that close engagement with the Local Authority's local plan process could be a better option. ii) If the plan is intended to be aspirational and have a community advocacy role, it will have greater freedom if unconstrained by the neighbourhood planning process. There is some useful info on the CPRE website which might help you to draft some criteria. http://www.planninghelp.org.uk/improve-where-you-live/shape-your-local-area/neighbourhood-plans The CPRE
