This unfunded research investigates through qualitative and quantitative analysis, practices of community activism and community-led planning with the aim to discuss its implications for the distribution of power in urban development decision making. Contexts for this research include: - the interaction between community activism and neighbourhood planning established in England by the Localism Act in 2011; - quantitative analysis of the social, ethnic and economic make-up of neighbourhood forums and neighbourhood planning areas in London - institutionalisation of community organising and community engagement in neighbourhood planning.