The first ever artist-led Neighbourhood Plan, in Mabgate, Lincoln Green and Burmantofts.
In 2018, we advocated for neighbourhood planning on our doorstep – the Mabgate, Lincoln Green and Burmantofts (MLGB) area of Leeds. Between then and 2024, we worked collaboratively with local residents and organisations to develop and facilitate the MLGB Neighbourhood Forum; exploring what people want and need in their community.
Our Neighbourhood Plan work included collecting the voices and perspectives of young people through our annual neighbourhood Summer School. Creative projects such as a series of neighbourhood zines, a gift exchange, a sound walk and seasonal events formed a catalogue of activity over the last few years.
In January 2024, we handed the forum over to the local residents to lead it into the future. MLGB is a unique neighbourhood made up of a community speaking over 70 different languages, and we are delighted that local resident Pauline Alexis will continue to lead the forum as Chair, with the support of Leeds City Council. We will remain a dedicated member of the forum and continue to support the group.
If you live here and want to get involved or find out more email mlgbneighbourhoodplan@gmail.com – the Neighbourhood Forum would love to hear from you.
What is Neighbourhood Planning?
Neighbourhood planning is the process by which members of a neighbourhood congregate to discuss, develop and defend the places they live and work. It is a national and legally recognised scheme that allows the voices of local residents to be heard in the planning stages of their communities, in collaboration with the local authorities.
Essentially, there are three stages to Neighbourhood Planning. Firstly the bringing together of the neighbourhood to identify their boundaries with the local council, secondly, a Neighbourhood Forum is designated and thirdly the creation of a document, or piece of legislation, known as the Neighbourhood Plan.
Why is this work important to us?
Creativity has proven a catalyst for consultancy between local residents, organisations and authorities in the local area and has seen the Neighbourhood Forum grow from strength to strength. Art and culture, in times of difficulty, can often feel like a luxury against much bigger systemic problems. However, using the arts as a means of communicating, has proven invaluable in uniting the Mabgate, Burmantofts and Lincoln Green neighbourhood in a memorable and meaningful way. Neighbourhood planning, at its core, is about giving local people a platform from which to improve the places they live and work, and the benefits of creative expression, as that platform, are endless.
Join the MLGB Neighbourhood Forum
If you would like to join the Neighbourhood Forum, email mlgbneighbourhoodplan@gmail.com to find out more and get involved.
