Published on
16 May 2023
Villagers can help to shape Ruscombe community vision
Residents of Ruscombe have until 5pm on Monday, 26 June to share their views on a draft neighbourhood plan for the parish
Residents of Ruscombe have until 5pm on Monday, 26 June to share their views on a draft neighbourhood plan for the parish.
Wokingham Borough Council has launched a statutory six-week consultation on the document, which was prepared by Ruscombe Parish Council with input from the local community and has been updated following consultation early last year.
The plan aims to manage future development in the area to better reflect the community’s wishes and take more account of what makes the area special.
If adopted, the council will use it alongside its borough-wide local plan to help decide planning applications in the parish.
What the plan means – and the next steps
The plan contains an overarching vision, specific objectives and a range of policies covering housing design and the natural and historic environment, community facilities, business and commercial development, local green space, and transport.
Residents can view it, and other supporting documents, on the council’s Engage Wokingham Borough page or by visiting its offices at Shute End or the library at Carnival Hub off Wellington Road, both in Wokingham town.
Comments received after the deadline cannot be accepted.
Feedback will be evaluated by an independent examiner, who will consider whether the plan meets several legal requirements and recommend changes if needed.
The council will then decide whether the plan should go to a parish referendum after which, if it is supported, it will be adopted.
Don’t miss the chance to get involved
Cllr Lindsay Ferris, executive member for planning and local plan, said: “Neighbourhood plans are a key part of our wider vision for how development should be managed in the borough.
“Ruscombe Parish Council and many volunteers have worked hard to produce a plan that will add value to how development in their area can be managed appropriately.
“Your comments at this stage are important and will be considered by the examiner, alongside all the plan documents and evidence, before deciding whether the plan should proceed to a referendum.
"The examiner can use your input to test the plan and recommend changes where needed, so please get involved while you have the chance.”
For more about the legal requirements which the examiner will consider, visit the Government's information page.
