People in Ham and Petersham could have extra planning powers if a neighbourhood forum goes ahead.

Under the coalition government, powers can be devolved to communities – giving them similar powers to parish councils, which are in charge of things such as footpaths and park benches.

Under the act, the town can apply for a forum and create a neighbourhood plan to improve infrastructure in their area, which must then be approved by going to a referendum.

Ham and Petersham is the first area in Richmond to declare an interest in creating a neighbourhood forum.

Councillor David Williams, who represents Ham and Petersham, said the move would benefit the community.

He said: “This is the first one in Richmond. It is down to local communities to do this.

“The Government has provided the framework and it is up to the local communities to take advantage.”

The area will cover much of the existing council ward of Ham, Petersham and Richmond Riverside but does not include the area of the ward within Richmond Park.

At an inaugural meeting at Grey Court School, chaired by the school’s headteacher Maggie Bailey, who is supporting the forum, about 140 residents were in favour.

She said: “This will bring the voluntary and community sectors together. The focus of the meeting is to get a constitution in draft together in order for us to then address issues.

“But hopefully there won’t be any – there will be projects that we can work on together.”

The forum has been supported by many local groups including the Ham and Petersham Association, Ham United and Ham Cricket Club.

David Carlisle, a chartered town planner for URS neighbourhood planning, told the meeting the forum could submit a long-term plan for what they would like to see in their area, which must then be approved by the council before going to a referendum.

He said: “This is a very light touch process. It is meant to be easy to do. It is very much for you to come up with ideas and to be innovative and creative with your area.”

There are already more than 70 neighbourhood forums in London already.

The draft constitution for the forum has been accepted, who will meet every quarter, and the committee will be selected at the next meeting in September.

For more information, visit hamandpetershamforum.org.

Until the committee is formed in September, please check the website or contact Andrew Beedham on 020 8948 3693 for further information.