Binfield Neighbourhood Area

The Binfield Neighbourhood Plan forms part of the Development Plan for Bracknell Forest and is used in determining planning applications in Binfield Parish.

The Plan was 'made' by Bracknell Forest Council on 20 April 2016.

Read the Binfield Neighbourhood Plan (incorporating modifications)

Referendum

A referendum on the Binfield Neighbourhood Plan was held on Thursday 3 March 2016. The referendum area was the same as the designated Binfield Parish Neighbourhood Area.

The result of the vote was in favour of the Plan, with the majority of those voting casting ballots in favour of a ‘yes’. The turnout was 15.51%.

The full results can be viewed in the declaration of result of poll.

The Binfield Neighbourhood Plan passed the referendum and was brought into legal force (‘made’) to become part of the development plan.

Examination of the Plan

Following the close of the submission consultation (Regulation 16), the Binfield Neighbourhood Plan, along with other supporting documents and information, was submitted for independent examination. The council received the Examiner's report on 3 December 2015.

The council considered the Examiner’s report and published the ‘Post Examination Decision Statement’. This document concludes the council is satisfied, subject to modifications set out in table 1 of the ‘Post Examination Decision Statement’, that the Binfield Neighbourhood Plan meets the basic conditions and legislation, and can be submitted to a referendum.

Submission consultation

Binfield Parish Council as the ‘qualifying body’ prepared a neighbourhood development plan for its parish with the help of the local community. The Plan sets out objectives for the future of the parish and contains planning policies to guide the development and use of land in Binfield Parish. The parish council submitted its Plan to Bracknell Forest Council in September 2015.

The council held a 6-week public consultation on the proposed Plan in line with Regulation 16 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended) between  Monday 12 October and Monday 23 November 2015.

All the written comments received during the consultation period were submitted to the Examiner.

Copies of the proposed Binfield Neighbourhood Plan and supporting documents are still available to view on the consultation portal.

Supporting documents

Pre-submission consultation

Binfield Parish Council undertook a pre-submission (regulation 14) consultation on the draft Binfield Neighbourhood Plan between 15 June and 10 August 2015.

SEA and HRA Screening Decision

A sustainability appraisal is not required for neighbourhood planning, although it may be possible that environmental assessments in line with European obligations may be triggered. These environmental assessments are a ‘Strategic Environment Assessment’ (SEA) and a ‘Habitats Regulation Assessment’ (HRA).

Binfield Parish Council provided information on their draft Neighbourhood Plan to Bracknell Forest Council to determine whether an environmental assessment was required.

The screening opinion the council produced was subject to a 5-week consultation with Historic England, Natural England and the Environment Agency.

The screening decision concluded that the Binfield Neighbourhood Plan did not need to be subject to a SEA, and did not require an Appropriate Assessment to be undertaken.

Designation of Binfield Parish Neighbourhood Area

Binfield Parish Neighbourhood Area was designated by Bracknell Forest Council on 11 February 2014.

Binfield Parish Council applied for designation of the neighbourhood plan area in October 2013. A 6-week consultation on the proposal was carried out during November and December 2013.