Policy information sourced from the Bracknell Forest Local Plan 2024-2037 document.

LP 43: Development Proposals in Centres.

1. Development within any centre defined on the Policies Map and Inset Maps will be supported where it:

  • would not have a significant adverse effect on the viability, vitality or character of that or any other centre whether inside or outside the Borough, either alone or cumulatively with other proposals and recent developments;
  • would not have an adverse impact on public health or environmental amenity, particularly in terms of noise, litter and odour; and,
  • would not have an adverse impact on the safety and convenience of highway users.

2. Changes of use from Use Class E to other uses within primary shopping areas defined on the Policies Map and Inset Maps will be permitted where they would not result in there being more than 20% of non-Use Class E units in the primary shopping area of centres. If proposals would exceed this threshold the following factors will be taken into consideration:

  • the nature of the proposed use and its contribution to the vitality and viability of the town, district or local centre; and
  • the current mix of uses in the primary shopping area; and
  • the number of vacant units in the primary shopping area; and
  • the number of contiguous units in non-retail use that would be created; and
  • whether all reasonable efforts have been made to retain the existing use through proactive and appropriate marketing for at least 12 months on reasonable commercial terms, and that there is no realistic interest in its retention for the current use (evidence would need to be submitted to demonstrate this).

For more information, including links to the referenced Policies Maps, please visit Bracknell Forest’s Local Plan document here.