If you'd like information on future consultations, you can be added to our mailing list.
Send your contact details to development.plan@bracknell-forest.gov.uk.
Include your name, postal address and email address.
If you'd like information on future consultations, you can be added to our mailing list.
Send your contact details to development.plan@bracknell-forest.gov.uk.
Include your name, postal address and email address.
Planning law requires that decisions on planning applications are made in accordance with the Development Plan unless other material considerations, relating to land use development indicate otherwise.
Planning policy is used to plan where and how the future development of land and buildings should happen. It evolves to take account of changes in lifestyles, the environment and economic conditions.
There are 2 levels of planning policy - national and local.
The most recent version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published in December 2023.
It sets out the government’s national planning policies and how these are expected to be applied.
It is supplemented by planning practice guidance on GOV.UK.
Plan makers must have regard to national policies and guidance when developing their plans. Plan makers are:
Up to date local and neighbourhood plans should be consistent with national policy and guidance on the issues covered.
The NPPF is also a material consideration in planning decisions.
Local plans are key documents that local planning authorities prepare to set out a vision and framework for the future development of the area. Communities are engaged during the plan preparation process.
Local plans:
Our local policy is made up of plans that have been produced under the following key legislation:
The policies in our plans have also been prepared in the light of Sustainability Appraisals (including Strategic Environmental Assessments).
In Bracknell Forest various policy documents are used to guide the location and other aspects of future development.
The policies in these documents are important in deciding planning applications.
National legislation requires that decisions are made in line with the Development Plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.
The Bracknell Forest Local Plan includes a vision, objectives and strategy for the level and distribution of development in the borough up to 2037. It is divided into 2 parts:
Adopted March 2024.
This is a Joint Plan covering Bracknell Forest, Reading Borough, Windsor and Maidenhead and Wokingham Borough. It sets out a long-term spatial vision and strategies for sustainable minerals and waste development. The policies will guide decision-making and activities around mineral extraction and waste management until 2036.
Adopted January 2023.
This plan:
The Bracknell Forest Local Plan has superseded some of the policies that were originally included in this plan.
Adopted July 2013.
The adopted policies map spatially illustrates the:
Adopted March 2024.
Neighbourhood planning was introduced by the Localism Act 2011 and came into effect in April 2012 (Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended)).
It gives local communities the opportunity to produce neighbourhood development plans (which become part of the development plan once ‘made’), neighbourhood development orders and community right to build orders.
Six neighbourhood areas have been designated in Bracknell Forest for the purposes of neighbourhood planning.
The Binfield Neighbourhood Plan forms part of the Development Plan and is used in determining planning applications in Binfield Parish.
The Plan was 'made' on 20 April 2016.
The Bracknell Town Neighbourhood Plan forms part of the Development Plan and is used in determining planning applications in the Bracknell Town area.
The Plan was 'made' on 27 October 2021.
The Crowthorne Neighbourhood Plan forms part of the Development Plan and is used in determining planning applications in Crowthorne Parish.
The Plan was 'made' on 9 June 2021.
The Warfield Neighbourhood Plan forms part of the Development Plan and is used in determining planning applications in Warfield Parish.
The Plan was 'made' on 21 December 2022.
The Winkfield Neighbourhood Plan forms part of the Development Plan and is used in determining planning applications in Winkfield Parish.
The Plan was ‘made’ on 20 December 2023.
In addition, Policy NRM6 of The South East Plan which deals with the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area remains in place.
The rest of this regional policy was partially revoked on 25 March 2013.
A supplementary planning document (SPD) provides additional guidance and detail to explain how a policy in a Local Plan should be interpreted and implemented.
A SPD is a material consideration and its production normally involves a single consultation stage before adoption.
On 19 March 2024, Full Council agreed to carry forward the council’s supplementary planning documents as they are relevant to policies in the Bracknell Forest Local Plan.
Provides guidance on renewable energy, climate change, efficiency and sustainable construction.
Adopted 21 October 2008.
Provides guidance for applications for a comprehensive mixed-use development at Amen Corner South. The site was allocated through the SALP.
Adopted 16 March 2010.
Defines the character of specific areas in the borough and provides more guidance on design principles contained in the Bracknell Forest Local Plan.
Adopted 16 March 2010.
Contains design guidance for streets and other public spaces in residential developments.
Adopted 29 March 2011.
Provides guidance on an avoidance and mitigation strategy to make sure that new development does not have adverse effects on the Special Protection Area (SPA).
Adopted 18 April 2018.
Provides guidance for applications for a comprehensive mixed-use development of the Warfield site (formerly known as land North of Whitegrove and Quelm Park).
Adopted 21 February 2012.
Sets out the council’s approach to securing infrastructure by planning obligations and explains their relationship with CIL.
Adopted 6 April 2015.
Contains guidance on parking requirements for residential and non-residential development.
Adopted 16 March 2016.
Sets out the design principles and best practice to guide the design quality of development proposals in the borough.
Adopted March 2017.
The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge on new development payable to Bracknell Forest Council to deliver infrastructure needed to support new development.
Started charging CIL 6 April 2015.
The transport plan (LTP3) sets out the transport strategy from 2011 to 2026.
It provides the framework for investment, management, maintenance and monitoring of the transport system.
It covers all types of transport including walking, cycling, public transport, cars and freight.
This document is currently being updated so that it aligns with the timescales of the Bracknell Forest Local Plan.
The Local Development Scheme is a 3-year work programme that sets out the planning policy documents the council will produce.
The council's latest local development scheme came into effect on 27 October 2021.
Community involvement is an important part of the planning process. The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) sets out the standards to be achieved in involving the local community in the preparation, alteration and review of all planning documents and applications.
The aim of SCI is 'to give all people the opportunity to be engaged in the local planning process which shapes the environment of Bracknell Forest Borough'.
The SCI was adopted by the council on 20 February 2014.
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
Document
Statement of Community Involvement
|
2 MB |