Agenda item

Purpose: to seek authorisation from the Executive to commence preparation of a new West Berkshire Local Plan (WBLP) and publish the Notice of Intention to Commence by 30 June 2026. Also, to approve a proposed timetable for preparing the Plan, and to provide delegated authority for the Service Director for Development and Housing in consultation with the Executive Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing, to approve and publish updates to the timetable as may be necessary. The report also asks the Executive to support the establishment of an advisory cross-party member Local Plan Working Group to support preparation of the Plan.

Resolved that: Executive

·         To endorse the establishment of an advisory cross-party member Local Plan Working Group which will be utilised to inform the preparation and approach to the Local Plan with full terms of reference to be established and agreed by the Working Group.

·         That approval is given to publish the West Berkshire Local Plan timetable in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026.

·         That approval is given to publish the Council’s formal Notice of Intention to Commence the West Berkshire Local Plan on or before 30 June 2026 in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026.

·         That authority is delegated to the Service Director for Development and Housing, in consultation with the Executive Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing to:

I. Approve and publish updates to the timetable as may be necessary.

II. Prepare and undertake a scoping consultation in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026.

III. Approve, publish and submit the required documents and statements for statutory Gateway 1.

IV. Approve evidence documents, reports and supporting data and analysis for publication.

V. After having regard to the advice of the Local Plan Working Group, to prepare and consult on the proposed Local Plan content and evidence prior to Gateway 2.

VI. Approve, publish and submit the required documents and statements for statutory Gateway 2.

This decision is not subject to call in as:

·      a delay in implementing the decision this would cause the Council serious financial implications or could compromise the Council's position.

therefore it will be implemented immediately.

Councillor Denise Gaines introduced and proposed a report (Agenda Item 4), which sought authorisation from the Executive to commence preparation of a new West Berkshire Local Plan and publish the Notice of Intention to Commence by 30 June 2026. It was clarified that Government had advised that the Council should not delay progress with the Local Plan on the basis of local government reorganisation.

Councillor Gaines commented that despite the previous Local Plan only being adopted in June 2025, the Council now had no choice but to begin preparing a new one.

Councillor Dominic Boeck noted that the cost of the new Local Plan was estimated at £2 million and queried whether that was an accurate estimate. Councillor Gaines responded that it was hoped that the work would be managed within existing planning budgets, however any extra funding would still need to be approved through the normal budget-setting process.

Councillor Ross Mackinnon queried why the decision was being reviewed and approved at an extraordinary meeting and thereby bypassing any public scrutiny. Councillor Gaines responded that the prescribed timetable was very tight, and that the Council needed to publish a notice of intention to commence by 30 June 2026, which meant that the meeting of Executive scheduled for 2 July would be too late.

Councillor David Marsh queried how large the proposed cross-party working group would be and whether it would be proportionate to representation, and include provision for substitutes. Councillor Gaines explained that terms of reference would be agreed following the meeting.

Councillor Patrick Clark seconded the recommendations within the report and welcomed the ability to provide more clarity to residents in relation to the process of developing a Local Plan.

RESOLVED that: Executive

·       To endorse the establishment of an advisory cross-party member Local Plan Working Group which will be utilised to inform the preparation and approach to the Local Plan with full terms of reference to be established and agreed by the Working Group.

·       That approval is given to publish the West Berkshire Local Plan timetable in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026.

·       That approval is given to publish the Council’s formal Notice of Intention to Commence the West Berkshire Local Plan on or before 30 June 2026 in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026.

·       That authority is delegated to the Service Director for Development and Housing, in consultation with the Executive Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing to:

I. Approve and publish updates to the timetable as may be necessary.

II. Prepare and undertake a scoping consultation in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026.

III. Approve, publish and submit the required documents and statements for statutory Gateway 1.

IV. Approve evidence documents, reports and supporting data and analysis for publication.

V. After having regard to the advice of the Local Plan Working Group, to prepare and consult on the proposed Local Plan content and evidence prior to Gateway 2.

VI. Approve, publish and submit the required documents and statements for statutory Gateway 2.