Residential travel planning for developers

There is a significant amount of residential development planned for Bracknell Forest Borough. The council needs to make sure suitable sustainable transport measures are in place at these developments to:

  • mitigate against the potential traffic impact
  • support the objectives of the Local Transport Plan to:
    • reduce reliance on cars
    • encourage more environmentally friendly forms of travel
    • deliver sustainable transport options

Sustainable transport measures also encourage healthier behaviours by promoting active travel modes.

Traditionally, non-infrastructure transport measures have been secured using a Residential Travel Plan (RTP). This requires the developer to implement, manage and monitor a package of site-specific measures for a minimum 5-year period.

Policy context

Travel Plans are a key part of the government’s policies on sustainable transport. The primary planning policy regarding Travel Plans is included in section 9 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (2021).

Bracknell Forest’s Core Strategy Policy CS6 states that development will be required to mitigate its impact on the transport network through financial contributions or in-kind provision. CS23 states that the council will promote travel planning to make sure development sufficiently considers accessibility and sustainable transport planning.

An alternative for developers

We believe greater benefits are achievable by implementing a joined-up approach to residential travel planning, with the council taking responsibility for delivering a consistent package of measures across new and existing developments. Residents will benefit from a wide range of measures, while the long-term commitment to promoting sustainable travel for a site will be the responsibility of the council.

This page sets out the options a developer can now choose when considering how to deliver sustainable transport measures for their site.

Option 1: Traditional residential travel plan

Under this option:

  • developers will prepare, agree and implement a RTP
  • a transport consultant is appointed by the developer to carry out this work
  • initial surveys need to be carried out to set agreed targets and then repeat surveys must be conducted to monitor the effectiveness of the plan against those targets for at least 5 years (the monitoring period may be extended if the targets are not being met)
  • the RTP needs to include funded measures such as welcome packs, bus taster tickets and cycle promotions
  • a Travel Plan Coordinator must be appointed to oversee the development of the RTP and liaise with residents
  • developers must pay a non-returnable RTP monitoring contribution, and a bond to fund remedial measures should the RTP not be fully implemented or fail to meet the agreed targets
  • the RTP will be secured by a section 106 agreement

Option 2: Sustainable travel contribution 

We are offering a voluntary option where:

  • developers make a contribution of £400 per dwelling
  • the council takes on the responsibility for delivering Travel Plan measures
  • once the development is complete the developer will have complied with their Travel Plan obligation
  • residents will benefit from a variety of promotions, events and discounts

We are offering this option because:

  • individual RTPs can result in a disjointed approach across a wider area, with varying results
  • some development sites needing a RTP may not comprise enough dwellings to fully support measures such as a dedicated car share database, or car club
  • the cost of employing a dedicated Travel Plan Coordinator for smaller sites can be significant for a developer
“We would encourage any development to sign up to the Sustainable Travel contribution. It will make sure that our residents have greater opportunities to engage in active travel and enjoy the health benefits achieved from building physical activity into their daily routines."

"This also will make a significant contribution to improving air quality in the area.”
Senior Public Health Strategist
,
Bracknell Forest Council

When a RTP is needed

The council’s Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document requires residential travel planning measures to be implemented at all developments of more than 100 dwellings.

Some smaller developments may also need measures to be implemented, depending on location and expected impact.

Calculating the contribution

The council has considered the sustainable travel initiatives most likely to be needed to mitigate the traffic growth associated with new development across the borough.

The cost of delivering these measures over the life of the Local Plan to 2037 has been calculated, and then divided by the number of dwellings allocated over that period (9410) to give a fixed sum per dwelling.

Developers of any size site can benefit from this voluntary approach, providing additional benefits for residents of smaller developments. If economies of scale allow, some of the measures will also be offered to residents beyond the development site, which will further help offset the impact of the development.

Use of the contribution

Developer contributions will be used to support a number of initiatives, including:
 

Information packs for residents highlighting how local amenities can be reached by sustainable modes.

Web pages on the sustainable travel site dedicated to their individual development site showing news, information and upcoming events.

A ‘contact us’ function on the website so that residents can message a dedicated sustainable travel officer with any local transport questions.

Events held in or near to the development for the benefit of residents so they can meet neighbours and talk face-to-face with a sustainable travel officer.

Incentives and discounts which may include:

  • bus taster tickets
  • cycle training and Dr Bike sessions
  • led rides and walks
  • discounted car club membership

A regular sustainable travel newsletter with latest news and updates.

Summary

Developers will be able to choose which option they wish to adopt for their site.

Option 1: Traditional travel plan

In this option the developer:

  • appoints a consultant to prepare a site specific Travel Plan including a baseline survey to agree targets for modal shift away from the car
  • submits the Travel Plan to Bracknell Forest Council for approval - if approved, the developer pays Travel Plan monitoring fee and Travel Plan deposit
  • appoints a Travel Plan Coordinator to oversee the development of the Travel Plan
  • commits to monitoring the Travel Plan for a 5-year period, extending to 7 years if targets have not been met

In this option residents benefit from measures aimed at their development.

Option 2: Sustainable travel contribution

In this option the developer:

  • makes a one-off £400 contribution per dwelling
  • passes all responsibility to the council

In this option the council’s sustainable travel officer delivers sustainable travel measures. Residents benefit from access to a wide range of sustainable travel events and schemes, both development-specific and across the wider borough area.