After eight years of preparation, Lambourn Parish Council has submitted the Lambourn Neighbourhood Development Plan to West Berkshire Council (WBC). It has been a long and varied journey!
The Plan contains 19 Policies which aim to shape the development of the civil Parish of Lambourn for the next 15 years. Based on consultation with, and input from, the community, the Plan addresses issues such as protecting the downland landscape and the River Lambourn; housing (including the allocation of sites); flooding; the racing industry; the Membury Designated Employment Area; and traffic. It is supported by detailed Appendices and an evidence base which shows how policies were developed. These documents can be found on the Lambourn Parish Council website at: https://lambourn-pc.gov.uk/lambourn-neighbourhood-development-plan/ and contain a great deal of useful and interesting information about the Parish, including maps and photographs.
Following the Pre-Submission Public Consultation (Regulation 14), held in the autumn of 2024, the Submission Version of the Plan was written. This will now be assessed by the local planning authority (LPA i.e WBC) and subjected to another Public Consultation (known as Regulation 16). It will then be examined by an independent Inspector and, if considered sound, will be put to Parishioners for approval in a local Referendum. The Referendum Version can then be “made” (adopted) by the LPA, and the Plan will become part of the statutory Local Plan, which means it must be used when planning applications are decided. It also means that the Parish Council will receive a 25% share of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CiL), instead of the current 15%. Developers, planners and parishioners will know where they stand, with the Plan informing discussions and decisions about the development of the Parish. The Plan will be reviewed periodically by the Parish Council, to ensure it continues to work for the community until 2041. Thanks are due to the members of the LNDP Steering Group (all volunteers) for their hard work and persistence over a long period of time; to the Bluestone Planning team, who have been our consultants; to all those who contributed their advice, support, photographs and expertise, and especially to all those who participated in the many consultation events, surveys and the Pre-Submission consultation. This has been a community team effort which will benefit the people of Lambourn for years to come.
