Winkfield Neighbourhood Plan

The Winkfield Neighbourhood Plan is part of the Development Plan. It is used to help determine planning applications in the Winkfield Neighbourhood Area. The Plan was 'made' by Bracknell Forest Council on 20 December 2023.

Referendum

The Winkfield Neighbourhood Plan referendum took place on Thursday 23 November 2023. More than half of those who voted were in favour of the council using the plan to help decide planning applications in the Winkfield Neighbourhood Area.

The referendum was based on the designated Winkfield Neighbourhood Area. The full results can be viewed in the declaration of results below.

The Winkfield Neighbourhood Plan came into legal force as part of the Development Plan for Winkfield with immediate effect after approval at referendum. This is in line with the Section 38(3A) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended).

Post examination decision statement

The council has considered the recommendations made in the Examiner's Report, and the reasons for them. The council, with the agreement of Winkfield Parish Council, accepts the recommendations and the modified Neighbourhood Plan will proceed to a referendum on 23 November 2023 based on the designated Neighbourhood Area.

The decision statement and the referendum version of the plan can be found below. 

Examination

The Winkfield Neighbourhood Plan, along with supporting documents and consultation responses was examined by an independent Examiner. The Examiner's report was submitted to the council on 24 July 2023.

The report concluded that the Neighbourhood Plan met the ‘basic conditions’ set out in the legislation. Subject to making certain modifications, it should proceed to referendum.

It was also recommended that the referendum area should be based on the Designated Neighbourhood Area.

The Examiner’s report and addendum, plus examination documents can be found below.

Submission consultation 

A public consultation was held on the plan between Thursday 20 October and Friday 2 December 2022. All written comments received during the consultation period were sent to the appointed Examiner

The submission version of the plan and supporting documents can be viewed using the links below:

Respondents to Reg 16:

Pre-submission consultation

Winkfield Parish Council undertook a pre-submission (Regulation 14) consultation on the draft Winkfield Neighbourhood Plan between 10 March and 29 April 2022.

Designation of Winkfield Neighbourhood Area

Winkfield Neighbourhood Area was originally designated by Bracknell Forest Council on 24 December 2015. On 16 May 2023, Winkfield Parish Council made an application to make minor changes to the designation. These were needed to reflect boundary changes. The changes had resulted in small areas of land, originally within the designated area, now falling within an adjoining parish.

The revised Neighbourhood Area was designated by Bracknell Forest Council on 14 July 2023.

SEA and HRA Screening Decision

In some circumstances neighbourhood plans may require environmental assessments in line with European obligations. These environmental assessments are a Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA) and a Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA).

Winkfield Parish Council provided information on the scope of their neighbourhood plan to Bracknell Forest Council to determine whether a SEA or HRA is required. This is known as ‘screening’.

Bracknell Forest Council’s screening decision was subject to a consultation with Historic England, Natural England and the Environment Agency.

The screening decision concludes that the Winkfield Neighbourhood Plan requires an SEA and an Appropriate Assessment.

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Contact information

Planning Policy Team