The council is working on a Masterplan Supplementary Planning Document. It will be sent out for public consultation in spring 2026.
This document will provide guidance on what the council’s expectations are for the preparation and approval of masterplans in relation to residential and mixed-use developments. It primarily provides guidance about the implementation of the following Bracknell Forest Local Plan to 2037 (PDF, 212 MB) policies:
- LP28 (Design Principles)
- LP50 (Design)
Policy LP28 requires masterplans for larger, complex or more sensitive developments to be agreed on by the council before a planning application is submitted.
A masterplan is a way of explaining how a specific site or area may be developed in the future. This helps to make sure that a site is developed in a comprehensive and sustainable manner.
It outlines the vision, design, uses and layout based on an analysis of the site and its context. This includes local characteristics, topography, constraints and opportunities.
A masterplan is not a single plan or drawing. It is a framework document which builds up layers of information such as:
- a site appraisal
- access and movement
- land use
- built form
- green infrastructure considerations
This then culminates in an ‘illustrative masterplan’ drawing.
The document will provide guidance for developers (those who submit planning applications) and will be used by officers in assessing masterplans.