Current consultations

Proposed Submission Plan

We have published the Local Plan Update: Proposed Submission Plan (Regulation 19). This sets out the planning policies proposed to manage development across the borough to 2040.

You are invited to submit your representations on the plan from Monday 30 September until 5pm on Wednesday 13 November 2024. Please note minor technical issues with the way small areas of text were displayed in the Proposed Submission Plan have been resolved. The deadline for representations to be received has been extended to 5pm on Wednesday 13th November.

At this stage representations should focus on whether the plan is legally compliant and meets the ‘tests of soundness’, as set out in paragraph 35 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and below:

• Positively prepared – providing a strategy which, as a minimum seeks to meet the area’s objectively assessed needs, and is informed by agreements with other authorities, so that unmet need from neighbouring authorities is accommodated where it is practical to do so and is consistent with achieving sustainable development;
• Justified – an appropriate strategy, taking into account the reasonable alternatives, and based on proportionate evidence;
• Effective - deliverable over the plan period and based on effective joint working on cross-boundary strategic matters that have been dealt with rather than deferred, as evidenced by the statement of common ground; and
• Consistent with national policy – enabling the delivery of sustainable development in accordance with the policies in the NPPF.

The plan has been assessed through sustainability appraisal and a Habitats Regulations Assessment. Representations are also invited on these documents.

Please find the key documents below:

• Proposed Submission Plan (PDF)
• Proposed Submission Plan Appendices A-J (PDF)
• Proposed Submission Plan Appendices K-N (PDF)
• Policies map A1 (PDF)
• Policies map B1 (PDF)
• Policies map B2 (PDF)
• Policies map C1 (PDF)
• Policies map C2 (PDF)
• Policies map D1 (PDF)
• Policies map D2 (PDF)
• Policies map D3 (PDF)
• Policies map layer key (PDF)
• Sustainability Appraisal (SA) (PDF)
• Sustainability Appraisal (SA) non-technical summary (PDF)
• Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) Report (PDF)
• Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) Appendices A-C (PDF)
• Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) Appendix D (PDF)
• Duty to Co-operate Statement (PDF)
• Health Impact Assessment (PDF)
• Equalities Impact Assessment (PDF)
• Pre-publication consultation statement (PDF)

Please note that some of the documents are not fully accessible to online screen readers. Anyone who requires assistance can contact the planning policy team at policyandplans@wokingham.gov.uk.

For more information on making representations at this stage please read our guidance below:

• Guidance for making representations (PDF)
• Statement of the representations procedure (PDF)

You can find further supporting evidence base documents and topic papers on our evidence studies page.

There is also an interactive map available which allows you to view the proposed site allocations, Local Green Space designations, and other policy areas proposed in the plan:

• Interactive map

Events

Drop-in events will be held during the consultation period. Details will follow shortly.

How to respond

Please use the online response form on our engagement portal to submit your comments on the plan.

If you are unable to use our online response form, please download our consultation form below and email your completed form to LPU@wokingham.gov.uk.

• Response form (RTF)
• Response form (PDF)

Or you can print the form and post the completed form to:

Local Plan Update
Planning Policy
Wokingham Borough Council offices
Shute End
Wokingham
Berkshire
RG40 1BN

Paper forms are also available from our Shute End offices reception.

Please ensure you read the statement of representations procedure and guidance on responding before you respond.

Please note:

• Comments received after 5pm on Wednesday 13 November 2024 will not be able to be considered.
• All comments received will be made publicly available, but personal details will be removed prior to this.
• Anonymous comments cannot be accepted and will not be considered.
• Your personal data will be held and processed in accordance with the council’s Privacy Notice.

Next steps

Following the Regulation 19 consultation we will collate and analyse all comments received. We will then undertake any further work required before submitting the Local Plan Update and all supporting documents to the Secretary of State.

Following this, an independent Inspector (or Inspectors) will be assigned and the public examination of the plan will be held. Dates for public hearings will be set by the Inspector, and opportunity to participate can be requested as part of representations to the Regulation 19 consultation. We will update these pages over the coming months as the plan progresses.