The West Berkshire Local Plan Review 2022-2039 (LPR) is currently being independently examined by a Planning Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State. The Inspector’s role is to assess whether the LPR has been prepared in accordance with the Duty to Cooperate, legal and procedural requirements and whether it is sound (positively prepared, justified, effective and consistent with national policy). If the Inspector concludes that the LPR is sound and meets the necessary tests, it can then be adopted by the Council and will form the Local Plan for the District.
The Inspector issued his preliminary findings on 31 July 2024, and a note on the Main Modifications consultation on 24 October 2024. The findings are without prejudice to his final report but set out the Main Modifications he considers are required in order to make the LPR sound. These proposed Main Modifications are now subject to an 8-week public consultation from Friday 6 December 2024 to 31 January 2025.
It is important that any proposed Main Modifications do not undermine the sustainability process that has informed the preparation of the LPR. The Council has therefore updated the Sustainability Appraisal/Strategic Environmental Assessment (SA/SEA), and produced an addendum to the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA), both of which accompany the LPR.
They are therefore now inviting representations on the following documents between Friday 6 December 2024 and 11:59pm on Friday 31 January 2025:
- Schedule of Proposed Main Modifications to the West Berkshire Local Plan Review 2022-2039 (November 2024)
- Schedule of Proposed Changes to the Policies Map (November 2024)
- Updated Sustainability Appraisal/Strategic Environmental Assessment (SA/SEA) Report – Proposed Main Modifications (November 2024)
- Addendum to the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) of the Proposed Main Modifications (November 2024).
All documents relating to the Consultation on Proposed Main Modifications can be viewed electronically on the Council’s website at https://www.westberks.gov.uk/lpr-proposed-main-modifications.
Please note that representations may only be made in relation to the documents as set out above. If you previously submitted representations to the earlier consultations on the LPR the Inspector has already considered these during the examination and there is no need to make them again.
Representations must be received no later than 11:59pm on Friday 31 January 2025. Late representations cannot be taken into consideration by the Inspector. The Statement of Representations Procedure attached explains where the relevant documents are available for inspection and how your comments should be submitted. I hope this is helpful, but if you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the Planning Policy Team on the contact details below:
Email: planningpolicy@westberks.gov.uk
Tel: 01635 519 111