The Charter For Communities
We believe in community rights – and that people are the solution, not the problem.
Our Charter gives communities both protections and opportunities to drive positive change in our local areas.
Write to your MP
In July 2025, The Government introduced the England Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, with an aim being to ‘give communities stronger tools to shape their local areas’. The Community Charter gives people and places the basic rights they need to shape local decisions, protect their environment, and build healthier, fairer communities.
Write to your MP to tell them you support the inclusion of the Community Charter in the Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.
About the Charter for Communities
Communities across England face big challenges — from the climate crisis and poor housing to disconnection and division. Too often, decisions are made far away in Whitehall, leaving local voices unheard.
Our Community Charter recognises that people are already creating solutions — from community energy to housing projects, green spaces and local initiatives that bring people together. With the right support, these efforts can strengthen our health, wellbeing and democracy.
Why It Matters
• Communities are often treated as problems to manage, rather than partners in shaping the future.
• Local voices are sidelined as decision making is centralised.
• The government’s Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill fails to give people real power over their own places.
• Our Charter shifts the balance. It gives people the rights they need to protect where they live, influence decisions, and build thriving, connected communities.
The Seven Rights
The Charter draws on international law and existing models of good practice. All are credible, achievable and already recognised elsewhere — just not yet implemented in England.
1. A clean and healthy environment (UN human right, 2022)
2. A healthy home (drafted into UK legislation but not yet passed)
3. The right to play (UN Convention on the Rights of the Child)
4. The right to grow food on public land (proposed in previous UK planning amendments)
5. The right to roam and swim (already law in Scotland)
6. A voice in local decisions (Aarhus Convention, now an EU directive)
7. The right to challenge decisions (in line with Aarhus principles and earlier UK proposals)
What’s Next
This Charter is an invitation to rethink how we work together — government and citizens, state and community. It builds on international conventions and proven ideas, but places people and places at the heart of decision-making.
By recognising these rights, we can unleash the energy of communities to create fairer, healthier and more hopeful futures.
This charter has been developed by people who care about who makes the decisions that affect the places we live. Find out more about Rights Community Action and sign up to our subscriber list here
For any queries, please email charter@rightscommunityaction.co.uk.
Signatures
The Climate Emergency affects all of us and so we all have the right to collaborate to develop shared visions and solutions.
Anne FIt is amazing that those who don't live in an area and have no vested interest in ensuring the needs of the residents are met and that they have a say in what happens are are making decisions which are life-changing. How is this democratic?
D SHaving read the White Paper I feel really angry at the removal of powers and participation from the local level. I'm glad to sign this charter
Rachel BI firmly believe corporate greed will destroy the environment and suck all the money out of communities.
Stuart DI strongly oppose the removal of the local democratic element.
Iain BPeople must be allowed to have a say at what is built in their areas. The number of people on housing waiting list grows longer by the day and there is an immediate need for more social housing to be built not less. Shared ownership is not an option for…
Edwina EWe have the opportunity to build a better future after the pandemic – but with community participation essential – as the pandemic has shown the determination and resilience of communities to find positive ways forward to benefit everyone especially the most disadvantaged.
Ruth tClearly covering a lot of countryside in bricks and mortar is something that is being caused by the ever increasing population. However very little thought is going into this process and nature is on the run and being eradicated. Most planning application of any size does allow a 3min slot…
John PWhat is happening at the moment is ill thought out and certainly not up for the needs of people living in a community and that allows us to tackle climate change. The system appears broken. I don't understand what is driving it.
Sarah WWe need really-secure and really-affordable rented housing, and therefore need to be able to participate and to object where necessary within the planning system to resist developer priorities. Say NO to No say on planning.
Paul B