Civics class. Or, 'Would you like a neighbourhood forum?'

Have patience with me for this one. It's not going to be the snappiest post, but it might matter.

So, there's this thing called the Localism Act. 

It says that if twenty-one or more local people gather they can become a 'neighbourhood forum' and devise a 'neighbourhood plan' that says where they think new houses, businesses and shops should go  and what they should look like.

The Government's crib sheet to the Act says:

'Provided a neighbourhood development plan is in line with national planning policy, with the strategic vision for the wider area set by the local authority, and with other legal requirements, local people will be able to vote on it in a referendum.  If the plan is approved by a majority, then the local authority will bring it into force.'

The maps below shows the North London forums that are being set up:

There's a bigger and clearer picture here thanks to Arkady.

Yeah, I can't see a Hornsey Road forum either. That may be bad. Whatever you think of the Act it is likely to work out better for areas with forums than for areas without them. 

I have a thousand and one reasons why I'm not going to volunteer to start this, but if you're interested in setting up a Shaftesbury to Seven Sisters Road 'Hornsey Road: Tollington' forum or a Seven Sisters to the Emirates 'Hornsey Road: Ashburton Grove' one then tell me. 

If you ask nicely I'll even give you a free post. 

Lots more here and here and here.