Decision details

Making (adoption) of the Bracknell Town Neighbourhood Plan 2016-2036

Decision Maker: Executive

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

To agree that the Bracknell Town Neighbourhood Plan is ‘made’ if the majority of those who vote at the referendum on the Neighbourhood Plan are in favour of Bracknell Forest Council using the Neighbourhood Plan to help decide planning applications in the Bracknell Town neighbourhood area.

Decision:

That the the Executive Member for Planning & Transport agrees

 

1)    the formal “making” (keeping in legal force) of the Bracknell Town Neighbourhood Development Plan to continue to form part of the statutory Bracknell Forest Development Plan pursuant to Section 38A(4) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended); and

 

2)    the form, content and publication of the Decision Statement (set out in Appendix B) pursuant to Regulation 19 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended).

Reasons for the decision:

The Council in its capacity as the Local Planning Authority has a statutory duty, as set out in Section 38A(4) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended) (“PCPA”), to make a neighbourhood development plan if more than half of those voting at referendum have voted in favour of making the neighbourhood development plan. This must be done as soon as reasonably practicable after the referendum is held and, in any event, within 8 weeks of the referendum (as prescribed by Regulation 18A of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended) (“the Regulations”)). Regulation 19 requires the Council to then

publish a statement setting out the decision and details of where and when the decision statement may be inspected. This must be done as soon as possible after deciding to make the neighbourhood development plan.

Alternative options considered:

1.     If the Council considers that the making of the Neighbourhood Plan would breach, or otherwise be incompatible with any EU obligation or any of the Convention rights (within the meaning of the Human Rights Act 1998 (as amended)), it would not have a duty to make the Neighbourhood Plan, as set out in Section 38A(6) of the PCPA, in which case the Neighbourhood Plan would cease to form part of the Development Plan, as set out in Section 38(3B) of the PCPA.

 

2.     The independent Examiner who reviewed the Neighbourhood Plan considered that it met the basic conditions and statutory requirements (incorporating modifications), including the basic condition that the Neighbourhood Plan is compatible with EU obligations and Convention rights (within the meaning of the Human Rights Act 1998 (as amended)). The Council concurred with the Examiner’s conclusions as set out in the published ‘Post Examination Decision Statement.’ Therefore, it would be in breach of the Council’s statutory responsibilities in respect of Neighbourhood Planning under Section 38A(4) of the PCPA to refuse to make the Neighbourhood Plan. It would also expose the Council to legal challenge and attendant costs.

Interests and Nature of Interests Declared:

None

Reason Key: Affects more than 1 ward;

Wards Affected: Bullbrook; Crown Wood; Great Hollands North; Great Hollands South; Hanworth; Harmans Water; Old Bracknell; Priestwood & Garth; Wildridings & Central;

Financial Impact: None

Declarations: None

Subject to Urgent Proceedings: No

Making Representations: In writing to the Executive Director: Place, Planning & Regeneration.

Other reasons / organisations consulted

No further consultation is required at this stage. The report seeks to ‘make’ the Bracknell Town Neighbourhood Plan if the majority of those who vote at the referendum on the Neighbourhood Plan are in favour of Bracknell Forest Council using the Neighbourhood Plan to help decide planning applications in the Bracknell Town neighbourhood area. Consultation was carried out at an earlier stage in the plan making process.

Consultees

None

Contact: Andrew Hunter, Executive Director: Place, Planning & Regeneration Email: andrew.hunter@bracknell-forest.gov.uk Tel: 01344 351907.

Report author: Elisa Harris

Publication date: 19/10/2021

Date of decision: 19/10/2021

Decided at meeting: 19/10/2021 - Executive

Effective from: 27/10/2021

Accompanying Documents:

 

Contact Information

Democratic services

Email: committee@bracknell-forest.gov.uk