Policy information sourced from the Bracknell Forest Local Plan 2020-2037.
LP 1: Spatial Strategy.
Context
1. In order to contribute towards the delivery of sustainable development and meet the vision and objectives of this Local Plan, growth will be accommodated as set out below, reflecting:
- the need to deliver homes and jobs during the plan period and beyond;
- the need to mitigate and adapt to climate change;
- the need to maintain or enhance existing local services and facilities, including community facilities;
- the capacity of existing infrastructure within the defined settlements and the timescale required for any necessary investment and improvement;
- the settlement’s role, character and setting; and,
- environmental and policy constraints.
2. Bracknell.
- Development will be focused on Bracknell which is the most sustainable settlement in the Borough, making maximum use of previously developed sites and underutilised land, especially in and around Bracknell Town Centre. Mixed use development is proposed to help the continued revitalisation of the area. This should provide the flexibility to respond to continually changing retail, leisure and other ‘main town centre’ floorspace needs in a way that enables the area to develop its character and offer in a manner that distinguishes it from other competing centres.
- Employment development will be concentrated in Bracknell Town Centre (as appropriate) and the designated Employment Areas supporting existing and new businesses through the encouragement of schemes to redevelop sites or extend premises and use land more efficiently.
- An urban extension will be developed on the south western boundary of the settlement at Beaufort Park, predominantly with family housing and an integrated network of greenspace, to add to the existing supply and to balance the provision of smaller dwellings in the central area. Smaller allocations are also planned within the wider built-up area of Bracknell and on its periphery to add to the short-term supply.
- The established pattern of residential neighbourhoods arranged around a network of local centres will be retained.
3. Crowthorne and Sandhurst
- Whilst the scale of provision is less than within Bracknell, these settlements offer access to employment, retail, education, health, public transport and other community facilities. Whilst options for growth in these centres are limited (especially the District Centres of Crowthorne and Sandhurst), there may be small scale opportunities for intensification and extensions where appropriate. This would assist in ensuring that suitable floorspace is available to allow centres to adapt and meet the changing needs of local communities. ‘Main town centre’ floorspace will be directed to these centres and employment floorspace to two designated Employment Areas at
Wellington Business Park and Vulcan Way, reinforcing the importance of their role in providing suitable locations for small to medium sized enterprises and job opportunities for local residents. - To help provide a continuing supply of housing in this area over the plan period, a greenfield site that adjoins the western boundary of the built-up area of Crowthorne at Derby Field is allocated for a comprehensive well-designed development. Whilst it is recognised that movement patterns are complex and vary with the purpose of the journey, better links to Bracknell will be sought with new development.
4. Binfield and North Ascot
- Binfield fulfils an important role in providing for the everyday needs of local residents and supporting other villages, hamlets and isolated development in the more rural areas beyond the settlement boundary. One further site is being allocated through this Plan in Binfield. This will add to choice and variety in the housing market in this part of the Borough and support and enhance the role of Binfield as a local service centre with particular attention being given to maintaining character and distinctiveness. Whilst North Ascot has a similar role to Binfield, any extension of the settlement is constrained by the surrounding Green Belt. Further growth is therefore limited to development within the settlement.
5. Hayley Green, Winkfield Row (North and South) and Chavey Down.
- The limited services and facilities that are present help meet the needs of residents of these settlements. Two greenfield sites are allocated on the northern side of Hayley Green and on the western side of Winkfield Row (South) both providing a proportion of affordable housing and helping to secure mixed communities whilst assisting with the retention and provision of services.
6. All defined settlements.
- Within all the above defined settlements there is likely to be a limited supply of housing coming forward through ’windfall’ sites.
7. Land in the Countryside
- Development in this area is subject to greater restrictions and the area will be protected, in line with local policies.
8. Land within the Green Belt.
- Development within these areas is restricted in line with national planningpolicy. Specific parts of certain villages within the Green Belt have been identified where infill development may be acceptable.
9. Neighbourhood Plans.
- The Council will support development proposals in accordance with ‘made’ neighbourhood plans. It will also guide communities preparing or reviewing neighbourhood plans and developing policies where evidence indicates a need to address particular local requirements. Such policies will reflect the overall strategy for the scale and distribution of development set out in the strategic policies of this Plan.