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For Independent Spatial Planning and Engagement Support

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Participants at the Tak£500 project
'My Place' Planning Card Game
PB Charter Launch event

Community Places is a charity and social enterprise

We’re here to help you make sense of the planning system and ensure you have a voice in shaping the future of your local places and communities.

We offer free, impartial advice to those in need of planning expertise and guidance. We also support communities, as well as councils and other service providers on planning and engagement initiatives.

About us

Get involved

Do you have an interest in how your community is evolving? There are many ways to get involved with Community Places.

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Imagine Democracy participants

Who we work with

We work with individuals, community groups and community development networks, local councils, partners and the government.

Who we work with
Planning Snakes and Ladders (Open Botanic)
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Planning Advice

Empowering people and communities through free, impartial planning advice.

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Community Engagement

Enabling communities to shape places and services through engagement and collaboration.

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Community Planning

Supporting Community Planning through collaboration, meaningful engagement and action.

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Participatory Budgeting

Promoting people-powered budgeting for inclusive, community-led change.

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Need planning advice?

We’re here to help. And we’re all about making it accessible with free, impartial advice on planning issues to individuals and community groups who cannot afford a planning consultant.

Call us now on +44 (0)28 9023 9444 or +44 (0)77 8364 9288 
or drop us an email. Check out our free Planning 
Guides too.

Request Planning Advice

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Membership and Community

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Do you have an interest in shaping the future of your community?

Become a member of Community Places and keep up to date with the latest news and changes in the planning system, engagement opportunities and networking events. You’ll also be invited to raise awareness of our work.

Register your interest below and we will be in touch with you.

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“Myself and my neighbours thought the service was great. The advice was independent and we trusted it. Community Places went the extra mile for us. Our successful result was very much due to Community Places’ help. I have recommended your organisation to others.”
“Service was great - planning is a nightmare for a lay person. Community Places were very approachable and knowledgeable.”
“Navigating planning issues is very complicated and stressful and needs to change. The media coverage on Planning issues in Northern Ireland is well documented and change is needed to protect the public particularly from those who abuse Planning Laws. I remain forever grateful to Community Places.”
“Thank you so much for an excellent prompt service. I cannot compliment you enough, in this day and age it is so difficult to get anyone to answer a straight question in a comprehensive way but I genuinely feel that your staff member did this.”
“I would have been lost without Community Places’ input and excellent advice.”
“A very complex list of advice issues that Community Places helped me understand.”
“Community Places always replied to queries promptly and took the time to explain the various stages of the planning process. In my opinion it is a vital resource for the community but also a great service for any individual dealing with the planning process.”
“Community Places has been an unbelievable support through this difficult planning process - helping and guiding me, going above and beyond the call of duty.”
“The advice given was absolutely fantastic and Community Places continues to help me. I couldn’t have done all that was done without them.”
“Community Places provides an excellent community service.”
“I think Community Places does a fantastic job - you provide amazing information and support - we couldn’t have had better help. Keep up the good work.”
“Community Places got back to me really quickly - covered everything thoroughly. Your planners took me through a minefield that I had absolutely no idea about - very professional.”
“I am so delighted to have the support of Community Places on our planning issue. Your planner has a calm and supportive listening way and offers information on our possible next steps. We will need further support.”
“Without your help, support and guidance our family would have been totally lost.”