Guide to community rights, environment and planning laws
Environmental law and the planning system can be powerful tools in the work to protect nature, clean air and water, and a better environment for everyone. Both are essential if we are to achieve a green and fair recovery and tackle the climate and ecological crises.
At Friends of the Earth we're committed to supporting people in their hopes for more sustainable development and campaigning for a legal and planning system that delivers exactly that. We believe it's vital that the system enables you to have your say in decisions that will affect you and the community where you live for years to come.
Here you'll find guidance on community rights, environment and planning law, written by our own expert team of lawyers and planners.
Your right to know
Information is power. Freedom of Information (FOI) laws give everyone the opportunity to access information held by public authorities such as national and local government.
Understanding the planning system
You have a right to participate in development plans and controls in your local area. The planning system is in the public interest. It gives you your most powerful right to participate and be heard in decisions that affect the environment.
Please note, we are aware that some of these guides are in need of updating following the accession of key legislation (e.g. Levelling Up Bill 2023) and recent policy updates (e.g. NPPF 2024). Once the Planning and Infrastructure Bill (2025) becomes law, we will revisit relevant guides to ensure the advice contained within is up to date.
- The English Planning System: An overview
- Planning Applications: A Campaigner's Guide
- Local Plans: A Campaigner's Guide
- Local Plan Examinations: A Campaigner's Guide
- Environmental Impact Assessment: A Campaigner's Guide
- Environmental Impact Assessment and Case Law Annex
- Public Inquiries: A Campaigner's Guide
- FAQs: Predetermination and bias in planning decisions
- Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP): A Campaigner's guide
- Supporting onshore solar and wind applications: Responding to planning applications and local campaigning
How to challenge decisions
Judicial Review is a form of court proceeding that allows you to ask the judge to review the validity of a public body's decisions. It's an important way of holding public authorities to account for their actions.
Legal advice
If you hear of an individual or community group that needs legal advice, try contacting the Environmental Law Foundation's advice and referral service at www.elflaw.org
