Wokingham

Consultation under Regulation 25 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2004 on Wokingham District's Site Allocations Development Plan Document Initial Options

The Council produces a land use plan (the Local Plan) for the district that says where different buildings, from homes to shops, offices, schools, leisure and health facilities may be built. As the current plan runs until 2006, the Council now needs to produce a new plan to last until 2026. The replacement plan will be in the form of a Local Development Framework as required by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

Wokingham District Council thinks that you or the organisation/company you represent may be interested in helping to develop a land use planning strategy for Wokingham District. I am therefore writing to let you know that the Council is asking for views on its early ideas (Initial Options) for both identifying potential sites where development could take place within the district together with an approach to planning policy.

The Council has now published the Initial Options for the Site Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD) (August 2006). The document lists over 200 sites that have been suggested for development in the district to 2026, together with ideas on how settlement boundaries/development limits, green gaps and Green Belt could be changed. The document also includes a number of questions on how planning policy could be changed.

The documents can be seen on the Council's website at www.wokingham.gov.uk/ldf-siteoptions or any library within Wokingham district together with the one in Crowthorne. To aid the consultation, the Council has produced a response form which can be collected/seen at all the above locations. The documents are also available on DVD-Rom for £8 (plus £0.50 postage and packaging). If you would like to buy a copy, please send a cheque made payable to Wokingham District Council and send it for the attention of Diane McGloin at the address below.

If you have any comments on the Initial Options for the Site Allocations Development Plan Document, these need to be received by the Council before 5 p.m. on Wednesday 11 October 2006. The response form can also be completed online at www.wokingham.gov.uk/ldf-siteoptions

Other research for the Local Development Framework

The Council from 6 September to 11 October 2006 is also consulting upon the Scoping Report for the Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD) it is going to produce on Planning Obligations and Village Design Statements. Copies of the Scoping Reports are available at the above locations. The Council is currently due to consult on the draft SPD during November and December 2006.

It is important that you submit your views at the stage of the Council's Initial Options for the Site Allocations DPD since the authority's land use strategy has not been confirmed and your comments will help to influence content. The Council is due to agree the Preferred Options for the Site Allocations DPD in November 2006.

It is important that you inform the Development Plans Team of any changes in your email address, telephone number or postal address so that the Council can keep you up to date with its progress.

If you have any queries regarding the Council's Local Development Framework, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Development Plans Team on (0118) 974 6478 or policyandplans@wokingham.gov.uk.

Development Plans Team
Strategy and Partnerships
Wokingham District Council
PO Box 157, Shute End
Wokingham
Berkshire, RG40 1WR

Tel: 0118 974 6478
Fax: 0118 974 6385
Email: policyandplans@wokingham.gov.uk
www.wokingham.gov.uk/ldf-siteoptions