Local Development Framework
(LDF)
The LDF, which will gradually supersede the WBC Local Plan,
will not be prepared as a single document, but a number of separate
documents that will be produced over a number of years. It will
be valid to 2026. The programme for the production of the documents
set in 2006 has had to be revised due to the government's rejection
of the first core document. For the current schedule refer to
this link to the WBC web site: More
details...
The first document of the LDF is sometimes referred to as the
'Core Strategy Planning Document' (it is akin to a structure
plan, but at the local level).
This is now called the West Berkshire Planning Strategy
DPD (WBPS). This is the document that will outline the
areas designated for the development of 10,500 new homes
in West Berks up to 2026. Once adopted the WBPS recommendations
will be binding. It was first issued in February 2006,
and after initial and formal public consultations it was
submitted for 'Public Examination' by the Inspector in
September 2006. However, the Council had to withdraw this
document because of concerns expressed by the Planning
Inspectorate and the Government Office that the plan did
not contain enough detail on the scale and location of
development.
Place Manor, Wallingford Road
WBC are now inviting us to comment on their
revised "WBPS Core Strategy" document. The consultation
period is 23/11/07 to 11/1/08. The following link shows you
where to read the draft document and submit your comments. More...
The WBPS sets out the broad planning policies for further development,
but does not include the fine detail. Specific housing site
allocations in villages will not be defined in the WBPS. They
will be defined in the 'Housing Sites Allocations DPD' and this
will show the sites on map(s). Work by WBC on this document
(i.e. selecting sites for housing inside or outside Settlement
Boundaries) will start Summer - Autumn 2008, for adoption in
August 2011. We understand it will be this period where we have
the opportunity to comment on the proposals submitted by landowners
for development of areas outside the Streatley Settlement Boundary.
The current housing allocation for "the rest of Berkshire"
(effectively villages north of the M4 and some in the Inkpen
area), is up to 100 houses per year. WBC consider this to be
on the high side and will be making representations that this
is not an appropriate level as it covers the AONB (which is
treated as the same as a National Park).
We were told that the WBC will be proposing that the village
Settlement Boundaries do not change in the short to medium term,
and not before the adoption of the WBPS in 2010. Thus WBC propose
that any proposed, and subsequently agreed, future development
areas which would be currently outside the Local Plan Settlement
Boundary, will still be shown outside the Settlement Boundary
in the Housing Sites Allocations Section of the LDF final document.
However before adoption any such areas would be subject to local
agreement. WBC explained to us there would be ample opportunity
for objection, with for example site notices being displayed
for controversial changes. WBC felt the opportunity for eleventh
hour submissions was now no longer available as any proposed
changes included with comments would still have a comment period.
In time the Settlement Boundaries, for ALL West Berkshire settlements,
will be reviewed and renewed, but no date was given for this
activity.
