The Royal Town Planning Institute and Civic Voice are hoping to amend the Localism Bill to prevent the Government changing it so newly created neighbourhood planning fora could be set up to concentrate solely on promoting business.
The Bill as originally introduced proposed allowing neighbourhood fora only where their purpose was to further the social, economic and environmental well-being of local residents.
But this was amended by the Commons to allow them to be set up for either that purpose or for "promoting the carrying on of trades, professions or other businesses in such an area".
"Business has an important role in planning the future but it should never be at the expense of the community's quality of life or the health of the environment," said Civic Voice director Tony Burton.
"The Localism Bill needs to change if it is to live up to its ambitions of a power shift which will put communities in control."
Both RTPI and Civic Voice have been strong supporters of the principle of neighbourhood planning but believe the amended clause runs entirely contrary to the original purpose of the Bill by encouraging a type of planning which focuses solely on promoting business.
An amendment has been tabled by Lady Whitaker so that carrying on of trades, professions or businesses could be an additional purpose of neighbourhood fora if relevant.
"We hope ministers will think again and respond positively so that local people genuinely feel able to influence the places where they live and work and do not find that their neighbourhood plan is being driven solely by the needs of businesses," said RTPI chief executive Trudi Elliott.
