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About planning policy
Planning law requires that decisions on planning applications are made in line 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.
National policy and government guidance
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:
- local authorities who are responsible for producing local plans
- community groups who may work on neighbourhood plans
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 policy
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:
- address needs and opportunities in relation to:
- housing
- the local economy
- community facilities
- infrastructure
- aim to safeguard the environment
- aim to enable adaptation to climate change
- aim to help secure high quality accessible design
- provide a degree of certainty for communities, businesses and investors
- provide a framework for guiding decisions on individual planning applications
Our local policy is made up of plans that have been produced under the following key legislation:
- Planning and Compulsory Purchase Order Act 2004 (latest available)
- Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (latest available)
The policies in our plans have also been prepared in the light of Sustainability Appraisals (including Strategic Environmental Assessments).
Development plan
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.
Bracknell Forest Local Plan
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:
- Strategic matters.
- Development management issues.
Adopted March 2024.
Joint Minerals and Waste Local Plan
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.
Site Allocations Local Plan
This plan:
- allocates certain sites for housing development
- makes sure that appropriate infrastructure is identified and delivered alongside new development
- includes a policy that recognises the needs of the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst
The Bracknell Forest Local Plan has superseded some of the policies that were originally included in this plan.
Adopted July 2013.
Bracknell Forest Borough Policies Map
The adopted policies map spatially illustrates the:
- policies of the Bracknell Forest Local Plan
- sites allocated for residential development in the Site Allocations Local Plan
Adopted March 2024.
Neighbourhood planning
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.
Binfield Neighbourhood Plan
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.
Bracknell Town Neighbourhood Plan
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.
Crowthorne Neighbourhood Plan
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.
Warfield Neighbourhood Plan
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.
Winkfield Neighbourhood Plan
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.
Supplementary Planning Documents
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.
Sustainable Resource Management SPD
Provides guidance on renewable energy, climate change, efficiency and sustainable construction.
Adopted 21 October 2008.
Amen Corner SPD
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.
Character Area Assessments SPD
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.
Streetscene SPD
Contains design guidance for streets and other public spaces in residential developments.
Adopted 29 March 2011.
Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area SPD
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.
Warfield SPD
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.
Planning Obligations SPD
Sets out the council’s approach to securing infrastructure by planning obligations and explains their relationship with CIL.
Adopted 6 April 2015.
Parking Standards SPD
Contains guidance on parking requirements for residential and non-residential development.
Adopted 16 March 2016.
Design SPD
Sets out the design principles and best practice to guide the design quality of development proposals in the borough.
Adopted March 2017.
Bracknell Town Centre Masterplans SPD
Provides land use and design guidance for three strategically important development sites in Bracknell Town Centre.
Adopted October 2024.
Housing SPD
Provides guidance for the implementation of housing related policies contained in the Bracknell Forest Local Plan (Policies LP16, LP17, LP37, LP38, LP39 and LP40).
Adopted March 2025.
Community Infrastructure Levy
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.
Local Transport Plan
The transport plan sets out the transport strategy.
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.
Other policy documents
Local Development Scheme
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 Wednesday 26 March 2025.
View the Local Development Scheme 2025 to 2028 (PDF, 0.66MB)
Statement of Community Involvement
Community involvement is an important part of the planning process.
A Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) sets out how we engage with our communities in preparing planning policies and determining planning applications.