Issue - meetings

Purpose: To provide Council with the Lambourn Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP), which was submitted to West Berkshire District Council (WBDC) on 16 February 2026.

Council considered a report (Agenda Item 16) concerning the Lambourne Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP). 

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Denise Gaines and seconded by Councillor Howard Woollaston: 

“That Council:

1. Approves that the submitted Lambourn NDP be subject to a six-week consultation under Regulation 16 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended). 
2. Following the six-week consultation, the Lambourn NDP be sent for independent examination under Regulation 17 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended).”

Councillor Gaines introduced the report and highlighted that it presented the steps needed to progress the NDP. If successful, it would become part of the statutory Development Plan, used when determining planning applications.

The Lambourne NDP was started in 2017 and had been supported by the Parish Council. Over those nine years, the Parish and NDP Steering Group involved the community in as many ways as possible at every stage of the process. The proposed submission had been consulted on, and it received 326 representations. The Steering Group believe that it represented the community whilst complimenting the West Berkshire adopted Local Plan. Overall, the NDP would help guide development in Lambourne whilst protecting and preserving the parish and its unique aspects and character.

Lack of affordable housing was a concern in Lambourn, so three sites of approximately 45 dwelling had been identified for development. Councillor Gaines concluded by indicating that if examiner was satisfied with the NDP, it would proceed to local referendum. 

Members welcomed the NDP, but wanted assurance that after the Plan was made, that it would actually hold material planning weight in the determination of planning applications. Specific reference was made to Cold Ash where some Members indicated that their NDP had not been followed.

Council also noted the hard work that had been done by the NDP Steering Group, and specific thanks were given to their Chair, Sue Cocker.

Overall, as Council agreed that the plan would protect the village whilst allowing for organic growth, they agreed to approve the recommendations.

The Motion was put to the meeting and duly RESOLVED.