Planning policy explained
There is a hierarchy in planning policy:
- National planning policy takes the lead.
- Planning policies developed at borough level have to be in general conformity with national policy.
- Planning policies developed at parish or ‘neighbourhood’ level have to be in conformity with both national and borough policy. Neighbourhood plans cannot contradict national or borough policies but should focus on local issues, adding a layer of local detail. If planning guidance already exists at national or borough level, there is no need for it to be repeated in a neighbourhood plan.
National planning documents
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-planning-policy-framework--2
The National Design Guide (NDG) can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-design-guide
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-planning-policy-framework--2
The National Design Guide (NDG) can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-design-guide
Local planning documents
The Datchet Neighbourhood Plan, when made, will join three other important planning documents produced at borough and parish level in having an impact on future development in Datchet. When work began on the Datchet Neighbourhood Plan, all these documents were either at draft stage or had not been started.
1. Borough Local Plan (BLP) (Adopted in February 2022.)
This sets out a planning strategy for the whole of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead up to 2033. It contains policies and guidance which any new development would have to respect in order to obtain planning permission. It is wide-reaching in scope. The following elements of planning are considered, among others:
2 Draft Borough-wide Design Guide (BDG) (Adopted in June 2020.)
The BDG is a guide for planning officers, developers and communities on the design of buildings, places and open spaces which can enhance the quality of life and prevent some of the poor quality developments which have degraded our settlements in the past. It is broad-based and wide reaching and covers the following, among other aspects: local character; layout, connectivity, street design and open spaces; housing density, building scale and massing, architectural details, materials and colours; conversions and extensions; amenity including privacy, outlook and sunlight; boundary treatments; non-residential development; design in flood risk areas, etc. This forms part of the BLP and, if adopted, will be a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).
3. Datchet Design Guide (DDG) (Adopted in February 2021)
This complements the BDG giving local detail on the character, architecture and green space which create a sense of place to Datchet and which local residents identify as attractive and enjoyable. It gives guidance on good practice which should be followed when designing extensions or any new development to ensure it's appropriate for Datchet. As a Supplementary Planning Document, the DDG will sit alongside the BDG and carry the same weight. The Datchet Neighbourhood Plan team worked with RBWM Planning and an independent planner to write the DDG.
4. Emerging Datchet Neighbourhood Plan (DNP)
This follows the relevant policies, strategies and guidance of the emerging BLP and places them within the context of Datchet. In addition the DNP puts forward additional policies and projects which are in keeping with the BLP but more specific to Datchet. It also supports the DDG by highlighting the particular characteristics which give Datchet its character. Click here to read the most recent Datchet Neighbourhood Plan (Reg 16).
1. Borough Local Plan (BLP) (Adopted in February 2022.)
This sets out a planning strategy for the whole of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead up to 2033. It contains policies and guidance which any new development would have to respect in order to obtain planning permission. It is wide-reaching in scope. The following elements of planning are considered, among others:
- Housing - where housing estates could be built, what types are needed, how many, housing densities and affordability etc.
- Employment sites - retail, commercial and industrial.
- Town-centre regeneration – particularly in Windsor and Maidenhead.
- Heritage assets - conservation, tourism and leisure.
- Managing flood risk and waterways
- Environmental protection and climate change
2 Draft Borough-wide Design Guide (BDG) (Adopted in June 2020.)
The BDG is a guide for planning officers, developers and communities on the design of buildings, places and open spaces which can enhance the quality of life and prevent some of the poor quality developments which have degraded our settlements in the past. It is broad-based and wide reaching and covers the following, among other aspects: local character; layout, connectivity, street design and open spaces; housing density, building scale and massing, architectural details, materials and colours; conversions and extensions; amenity including privacy, outlook and sunlight; boundary treatments; non-residential development; design in flood risk areas, etc. This forms part of the BLP and, if adopted, will be a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).
3. Datchet Design Guide (DDG) (Adopted in February 2021)
This complements the BDG giving local detail on the character, architecture and green space which create a sense of place to Datchet and which local residents identify as attractive and enjoyable. It gives guidance on good practice which should be followed when designing extensions or any new development to ensure it's appropriate for Datchet. As a Supplementary Planning Document, the DDG will sit alongside the BDG and carry the same weight. The Datchet Neighbourhood Plan team worked with RBWM Planning and an independent planner to write the DDG.
4. Emerging Datchet Neighbourhood Plan (DNP)
This follows the relevant policies, strategies and guidance of the emerging BLP and places them within the context of Datchet. In addition the DNP puts forward additional policies and projects which are in keeping with the BLP but more specific to Datchet. It also supports the DDG by highlighting the particular characteristics which give Datchet its character. Click here to read the most recent Datchet Neighbourhood Plan (Reg 16).