LOCAL PLAN UPDATE

November 2018

The long-awaited next step in the Wokingham Local Plan has started – and many of us will have seen press or received materials announcing the public consultation process which will run until mid February 2019. It will carry more weight if the section on the Green Belt is met with a consistent public response, so our planning experts are currently studying the documentation in detail and will draft a suggested response with the next couple of weeks.

WHAT IS THE LOCAL PLAN UPDATE?
To recap, the Local Plan Update will shape the future of Wokingham Borough. It must comply with overall government planning policy but the local consultation will help to determine how the borough will manage development, including where it will and will not go. Up until now WBC has initiated studies and consultation including a call for sites, engagement with town/parish councils, and evidence studies. But no decisions have been made, so it is vital that we take this opportunity to voice our views.

WHICH ISSUES CAN WE GIVE OUR OPINION ON?
Key issues that we can give our opinions on will include:
* Role of different places, e.g. town centres, towns, villages
* Development density
* Building heights
* Views on the promoted land
* Views on which land which should be promoted

WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
You may have already received the brochure “Homes for the Future” which WBC are sending to every household in the borough. The contents are also online.

A drop-in event organised by WBC is planned for 7-9pm on Thursday 10th January 2019 at Loddon Hall, Twyford.

HOW CAN I RESPOND TO THE CONSULTATION?
You can respond online, by email or by letter – it is not essential to use the forms. You do not have to respond to the entire document, your views will still count if you choose just to respond to sections.

CPRW will provide a suggested response to the relevant section of the document, and we will publish this by mid December.

The closing date is Friday 15th February 2019.

The online survey is here.