Neighbourhood Development Plans

The process of preparing a Neighbourhood Development Plan

Neighbourhood development plans are plans where their preparation is led by the community through the parish or town council. Producing a neighbourhood development plan is optional. They enable the community to influence how their local area should develop and grow. Neighbourhood development plans must be in general conformity with strategic policies in a local plans.

The first step of a neighbourhood development plan is the submission of an application to us to designate a Neighbourhood Area.

The initial stages of preparing a plan are led by the parish or town council. This is likely to include the gathering of evidence and considering options, and at least one consultation.

When the parish or town council has produced their draft plan, it has to be submitted to us for publication and its examination by an independent person. The examiner will assess the draft plan on whether it meets legal requirements and prepare a report of their findings and recommendations. This may include amendments to the draft plan.

We are required to consider the examiner’s report.  Where the draft plan, incorporating recommended amendments, is considered to meet legal requirements, we will arrange for a local referendum on whether it should be used to decide planning applications. If the majority of those voting in the referendum agrees it should be used, we will then make (adopt) it as part of the development plan and it will be used as the starting point for making decisions on planning applications in that area, alongside our adopted local plans.

More information on neighbourhood planning, including frequently asked questions, can be found on the Communities and Local Government Neighbourhood Planning website.

Find out more below about the neighbourhood development plans that have been made (adopted) in Wokingham Borough and now form part of the development plan.

Arborfield and Barkham

The Arborfield and Barkham Neighbourhood Plan covers the area of Arborfield and Newland and Barkham parishes.

The plan was made (adopted) by the council on 22 April 2020.

Read the plan and take a look at the relevant documents below:

• Arborfield and Barkham Neighbourhood Plan (PDF document)
• Decision statement making the plan (PDF statement)
• Examiners final report (PDF document)
• Summary of representations (PDF document)
• SEA/HRA determination statement (PDF document)

You can find more information and further background documents on the Arborfield and Newland Parish Council website and the Barkham Parish Council website.

Finchampstead

The Finchampstead Neighbourhood Plan covers the area of Finchampstead parish.

The plan was made (adopted) by the council on 21 September 2023.

Read the plan and take a look at the relevant documents below:

• Finchampstead Neighbourhood Plan (PDF document)
• Decision statement making the plan (PDF statement)
• Examiners final report (PDF document)
• Summary of representations (PDF document)
• SEA Scoping Report (PDF document)
• SEA Environmental Report (PDF document)
• Habitats Regulation Assessment (PDF document)

You can find more information and further background documents on the Finchampstead Parish Council website.

Ruscombe

The Ruscombe Neighbourhood covers the area of Ruscombe parish.

The plan was made (adopted) by the council on 18 January 2024.

Read the plan and take a look at the relevant documents below:

• Ruscombe Neighbourhood Plan (PDF document)
• Decision statement making the plan (PDF statement)
• Examiners final report (PDF document)
• Summary of representations (PDF document)
• SEA/HRA determination statement (PDF document)

You can find more information and further background documents on the Ruscombe Parish Council website.

Shinfield

The Shinfield Neighbourhood Plan covers the area of Shinfield parish.

The plan was made (adopted) by the council on 26 January 2017.

Read the plan and take a look at the relevant documents below:

• Shinfield Neighbourhood Plan (PDF document)
• Shinfield Neighbourhood Plan Appendices (PDF document)
• Decision statement making the plan (PDF statement)
• Examiners final report (PDF document)
• Summary of representations (PDF document)

Twyford

The Twyford Neighbourhood Plan covers the area of Twyford parish.

The plan was made (adopted) by the council on 20 July 2023.

Read the plan and take a look at the relevant documents below:

• Twyford Neighbourhood Plan (PDF document)
• Decision statement making the plan (PDF statement)
• Examiners final report (PDF document)
• Summary of representations (PDF document)
• SEA/HRA determination statement (PDF document)

You can find more information and further documents supporting the plan on the Twyford Parish Council website