Proposal to withdraw Local Plan Review 2022-2039
West Berkshire Council have announced that the Local Plan Review 2022-2039 is proposed to be withdrawn in favour of a new approach which focuses on new developments within existing town and village boundaries.
An Extraordinary Council meeting has been called for 7pm on Tuesday 19 December where a report proposing the withdrawal of the Local Plan Review will be discussed and voted on. It is open to the public to attend in person at West Berkshire Council’s offices in Market Street, Newbury or to stream live or on demand on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/westberkshire (opens in new window)
Details of the Extraordinary Council meeting and the report to be considered are available online at:
The move delivers on a commitment made in the Council Strategy, adopted by West Berkshire Council in September, which commits to revising the Local Plan. Prior to being elected in May, the Liberal Democrat group (then in opposition) had raised concerns about the level of development in green spaces and specifically in north-east Thatcham and Theale. Instead, the preference is for more of a spread across the district. The Local Plan Review was submitted to the Planning Inspector in March 2023 without these concerns being addressed.
Since forming a new administration in May, West Berkshire officers have been working with the Executive to address their concerns within the submitted Local Plan Review. It has not been possible to change the plan to meet the aspirations of the new administration. Instead, a proposal has been made to withdraw the Local Plan Review and to begin work on a new one.
When the Local Plan Review was submitted, the Secretary of State appointed an Inspector to carry out an independent examination. This examination will assess whether the submitted plan has been prepared in accordance with legal and procedural requirements. This examination is currently scheduled for 2024.