SEA and HRA screening decision
Whilst sustainability appraisals are not required for neighbourhood planning, it is 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).
Bracknell Town Council provided information in 2018 on their draft Neighbourhood Plan to Bracknell Forest Council to determine whether these environmental assessments were required.
The screening opinion produced by the council was subject to a 5-week consultation with Historic England, Natural England and the Environment Agency.
The screening decision concluded that the Bracknell Town Neighbourhood Plan did not need to be subject to a SEA and did not require an Appropriate Assessment to be undertaken.
The screening decision can be downloaded below:
2. Pre-submission consultation
Bracknell Town Council undertook a pre-submission (Regulation 14) consultation on the draft Plan between 9 June and 20 August 2018.
3. Bracknell Town Neighbourhood Plan submission consultation
Bracknell Town Council, as the ‘qualifying body’, has prepared a Neighbourhood Development Plan (the Plan) for its area with the help of the local community.
The Plan sets out objectives for the future. It contains planning policies to guide the development and use of land in Bracknell Town.
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 7 January and Monday 18 February 2019. The consultation has closed.
An independent examiner has been appointed to undertake the examination. All written comments received during the consultation period will be sent to the examiner.
Copies of the proposed Bracknell Town Neighbourhood Plan and supporting documents are still available to view on the consultation portal.
5. Referendum
The Examiner has recommended that the submitted neighbourhood plan should proceed to a referendum if the modifications put forward within the Examiner’s Report are implemented.
The council will produce a ‘Decision Statement’ which sets out what action Bracknell Forest Council intends to take in response to each recommendation made by the Examiner.
The local community will be invited to vote on bringing into force the neighbourhood plan.
The Examiner has not recommended that the referendum area should be extended.
Updates on the referendum will be published in due course.
6. Making of the Neighbourhood Plan
If the majority of the local community vote in favour of the neighbourhood plan, it is likely to be brought into legal force. It would form part of the Development Plan for Bracknell Forest and used in determining planning applications in Bracknell Town parish.
More information
Further information on the Bracknell Town Neighbourhood Plan can be found on the Bracknell Town Council website.