What's new?
Datchet votes 'yes' in Neighbourhood Plan Referendum
The Datchet Neighbourhood Plan went to public referendum on Thursday 4 May to give us all the chance to vote Yes or No, to say whether or not we want the DNP to be used in determining local planning applications. 1014 people voted Yes, 127 voted No. 18 ballot papers were rejected. There were 3802 people eligible to vote in Datchet. This represented at 30% turnout. The DNP was formally adopted by RBWM on 28 June 2023.
DNP referendum
Following an independent examination to ensure the public consultation process was robust and the DNP's planning policies stand up to scrutiny, RBWM accepted the proposed modifications in the examiner's report, and issued a decision statement for the DNP to go to a public referendum. The referendum was conducted by RBWM in accordance with procedures which are similar to those used at local government elections. The relevant documents were published on RBWM's website and copies were available to read at The Bridge, at Datchet Parish Council offices in Allen Way, and at Datchet Library. Although it's not political, the DNP referendum took place alongside the local elections on 4 May 2023.
The examiner's report
The DNP was then sent to an independent examiner in November 2022. His report was received in January 2023.
Regulation 16 Public Consultation
Click here to read the Datchet Neighbourhood Plan (Submission version Reg 16).
The Regulation 16 Public Consultation offered another opportunity to comment on the Datchet Neighbourhood Plan. The six-week consultation period ran from Monday 5 September 2022 until midnight on Monday 17 October 2022. During the consultation period, the proposed plan could be viewed online and at venues in the village.
Online via http://consult.rbwm.gov.uk/portal.
Hard copies were available at:
How to make representations (comments)
During the consultation period time, comments could be made online, by email or by letter, preferably using the response form. (Response forms were available at the above locations, on the consultation portal for online responses, or a Word version could be downloaded.)
What can you comment on at Regulation 16?
While the Regulation 14 Consultation was about the content of the Plan, RBWM conducted the Regulation 16 consultation to check that the proper process has been followed and that the DNP complies with relevant legislation and meets the ‘basic conditions’. The four basic conditions that the DNP will need to meet are as follows:
The Regulation 16 Public Consultation offered another opportunity to comment on the Datchet Neighbourhood Plan. The six-week consultation period ran from Monday 5 September 2022 until midnight on Monday 17 October 2022. During the consultation period, the proposed plan could be viewed online and at venues in the village.
Online via http://consult.rbwm.gov.uk/portal.
Hard copies were available at:
- Datchet Library, Montagu House, 8 Horton Rd, Datchet SL3 9ER
- The Bridge café, 24 The Green, Datchet SL3 9JH
- Datchet Parish Council Offices, 1 Allen Way, Datchet SL3 9HR
How to make representations (comments)
During the consultation period time, comments could be made online, by email or by letter, preferably using the response form. (Response forms were available at the above locations, on the consultation portal for online responses, or a Word version could be downloaded.)
- To comment online, visit: http://consult.rbwm.gov.uk/portal
- To comment by email, send your email to planning.consultation@rbwm.gov.uk
- To comment in writing, send your letter/response form to Planning Consultation – Datchet Neighbourhood Plan, The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead SL6 1RF
What can you comment on at Regulation 16?
While the Regulation 14 Consultation was about the content of the Plan, RBWM conducted the Regulation 16 consultation to check that the proper process has been followed and that the DNP complies with relevant legislation and meets the ‘basic conditions’. The four basic conditions that the DNP will need to meet are as follows:
- have regard to national policy
- contribute to the achievement of sustainable development
- general conformity with the strategic policies in the development plan
- compatible with EU obligations.
Inland Homes Public Consultation
There was a public consultation event hosted by Inland Homes in the Village Hall on Wednesday 20 July about their proposed development of 80 homes on land between London Road and the M4, on a site known as AL39. The developers said this was an opportunity to share their proposals with the local community, seek feedback and answer any questions before they submit a planning application. One of the display boards said: 'Our proposals have sought to respond to the draft Datchet Neighbourhood Plan'. The consultants in attendance also said they would be responding to the advice in the Datchet Design Guide. For pictures of the display boards, click here.
All systems go!
At July's Parish Council Meeting (11 July 2022), the parish councillors present unanimously supported Cllr Ewan Larcombe's motion that "Datchet Parish Council has reviewed the revisions to the Datchet Neighbourhood Plan and the supporting Consultation Statement, and Basic Conditions Statement, and it resolves that the draft of the Datchet Neighbourhood Plan and supporting paperwork should be submitted to RBWM for Regulation 16 by the DNP Steering Group". After that meeting, the approved revisions were made to the Datchet Neighbourhood Plan and it has been submitted today (18 July 2022) to RBWM for Regulation 16 with the supporting documentation. We look forward to hearing from RBWM with details of the proposed schedule for the Regulation 16 consultation and meeting dates to discuss the examination and village-wide referendum. We will keep you posted. For more details about Regulation 16, click here
Regulation 14 Consultation
Very many thanks to everyone who commented at Regulation 14 consultation which ran from 21 March to 15 May 2022.
Click here to read the Pre-submission (Reg 14) Datchet Neighbourhood Plan
The Plan was then revised, based on your feedback, and supporting documentation was drawn up. After unanimous approval by Datchet Parish Council in July 2022, it was submitted to RBWM for the next stage, known as the Regulation 16 consultation, (5 September to 17 October 2022).
Click here to read the Pre-submission (Reg 14) Datchet Neighbourhood Plan
The Plan was then revised, based on your feedback, and supporting documentation was drawn up. After unanimous approval by Datchet Parish Council in July 2022, it was submitted to RBWM for the next stage, known as the Regulation 16 consultation, (5 September to 17 October 2022).
Moving to "Regulation 16"
Many thanks to everyone who responded to the recent Regulation 14 Public Consultation. The Datchet Neighbourhood Plan has now been revised, where possible, to take account of the comments made and supporting documentation has been drawn up. These have now been submitted to Datchet Parish Council on 24 June 2022 with a request that the DNP is added to the agenda for July's Parish Council Meeting so that the Plan can be ratified and submitted to RBWM for Regulation 16 as soon as possible. To read the documents submitted to DPC and to find out more about the next steps, please click here.
Annual Parish Meeting
The Datchet Neighbourhood Plan team has been invited to present details of the plan, the consultation, and how to comment, at the start of the Annual Parish Meeting on 25 April at 7pm in the Village Hall, Allen Way, Datchet. All are welcome, please come along and join us. If you're not able to join us in person, there will be a Zoom session on Thursday 28 April at 7pm - please email datchetnp@datchetparishcouncil.gov.uk for a link.
Drop-in session at the WI Hall, Saturday 2 April
Many thanks to everyone who joined us on Saturday to view the Datchet Neighbourhood Plan and find out more. We enjoyed meeting you and hearing your views. Borough/Parish Councillor and DNP steering group member, Ewan Larcombe, was also on hand throughout the session to answer questions on non-planning issues which were outside the scope of the DNP. Don't forget, if you would like to respond to the consultation using the online form, the link is here. For details of other ways to respond, see the 'how to comment' page on this website, under the Consultation tab. If you missed it, the next drop-in session is at the library on Thursday 7 April from 3.30pm to 6.30pm.
Public consultation drop-in sessions
The Datchet Neighbourhood Plan has now been published for the public consultation (Reg 14). Don’t miss your opportunity to evaluate and comment on the Plan and help to shape future development in Datchet. The public consultation runs from 00:00 hrs Monday 21 March to 24:00 hrs Sunday 15 May 2022
You can view the Datchet Neighbourhood Plan during normal opening hours at Datchet Parish Council Office, Datchet Library and The Bridge, or at www.datchetneighbourhoodplan.org and www.datchetparishcouncil.gov.uk
Or come along to a drop-in session:
Comments must be in writing. You can pick up a consultation response form at the Library, The Bridge or the Parish Council Office, or complete it online. Click here for more details.
You can view the Datchet Neighbourhood Plan during normal opening hours at Datchet Parish Council Office, Datchet Library and The Bridge, or at www.datchetneighbourhoodplan.org and www.datchetparishcouncil.gov.uk
Or come along to a drop-in session:
- Sat 2 April 10am-2pm WI Hall, The Green
- Thur 7 April 3.30-6.30pm Datchet Library
- Wed 20 April 12-3pm The Bridge, The Green
- Thur 28 April, 7pm, Zoom (email datchetnp@
datchetparishcouncil.gov.uk for a link)
Comments must be in writing. You can pick up a consultation response form at the Library, The Bridge or the Parish Council Office, or complete it online. Click here for more details.
Presentation to Datchet Parish Council, Monday 13 December, 6.30pm, public meeting.
The Datchet Neighbourhood Plan team is presenting the draft plan to Datchet Parish Council at a public meeting prior to their regular monthly parish meeting. The Borough Councillors for the ward have also been invited. The contents of the draft plan will be no surprise to the council which has been kept informed of the Plan's progress throughout, with regular updates, and invitations to take part in our events, surveys and activities. Also two councillors are on the Steering Group team. At this meeting, we hope that the plan will be ratified to progress to a public consultation, known as Regulation 14 consultation in the new year. A draft of the plan has been submitted to councillors and also a '15-minute summary'. Supporting documents can be found at www.datchetneighbourhoodplan.org/whats-new.html.
By involving the community widely, the plan has identified issues which are of considerable importance to Datchet, its residents, businesses and community groups. The policies in the draft Plan have been designed to respond to these demands. Councillors will be asked whether they have concerns about the plan’s compatibility with relevant legislation and existing planning policy before we proceed to the Regulation 14 Public Consultation.
14 December 2021. The Power-Point presentation can be viewed here, and there is also a recording of the presentation here. Please note that the recording starts about five minutes in. We are delighted to announce that the Datchet Neighbourhood Plan is moving to Regulation 14 with a public consultation scheduled for spring 2022, dates to be confirmed.
By involving the community widely, the plan has identified issues which are of considerable importance to Datchet, its residents, businesses and community groups. The policies in the draft Plan have been designed to respond to these demands. Councillors will be asked whether they have concerns about the plan’s compatibility with relevant legislation and existing planning policy before we proceed to the Regulation 14 Public Consultation.
14 December 2021. The Power-Point presentation can be viewed here, and there is also a recording of the presentation here. Please note that the recording starts about five minutes in. We are delighted to announce that the Datchet Neighbourhood Plan is moving to Regulation 14 with a public consultation scheduled for spring 2022, dates to be confirmed.
Drop-in Afternoon
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Datchet's Neighbourhood Plan team was invited by Datchet Village Society to have a stall at their drop-in afternoon on 17 July 2021 in the WI Hall on The Green. The event was open to everyone and well attended. On DNP display was our most recent research into Non-Designated Heritage Assets and also a full set of Character Assessments. Members of the DNP team were also on hand to answer questions and discuss issues with residents.
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Datchet Design Guide update
Following last year's public consultation, the Datchet Design Guide was adopted by RBWM cabinet on 25 February 2021. It was prepared by the DNP team working alongside professional town planners and RBWM’s planning officers to help ensure that any new development in Datchet is visually attractive and sympathetic to local character and history, and maintains a strong sense of place. Feedback to last year’s consultation was generally very positive and your comments helped to improve it further. You can read more here.
What's Important To You? A new survey
In December 2020/January 2021, we ran a survey to ask which are Datchet’s most important green spaces? Our most treasured buildings and monuments? What type of new play areas do we need? Which grass verges need improving? What sort of property do downsizers look for? You can read the results here.
The DNP and Covid - how you can help
During the pandemic, the Datchet Neighbourhood Plan team has been meeting virtually, using Zoom. This has allowed us to continue progressing Datchet's Plan without a break. During this time, we have been publishing details of our work in The Link magazine which is distributed throughout the village, as well as on this website and social media. As it has been impossible to hold public meetings, we have set up surveys on 'Planning for Climate Change' and 'Getting Around' as a way of getting feedback from residents. (Paper copies of these are available on request.)
In the coming months, we are also organising some focus groups to ask you what you think about various issues affecting Datchet. If you live in the village, would you be willing to join a focus group to share your thoughts and ideas with the Neighbourhood Plan team, on Zoom or by email? If so, please use the 'Contact Us' page to send us your details. We will not use your data for any other purpose. Many thanks.
In the coming months, we are also organising some focus groups to ask you what you think about various issues affecting Datchet. If you live in the village, would you be willing to join a focus group to share your thoughts and ideas with the Neighbourhood Plan team, on Zoom or by email? If so, please use the 'Contact Us' page to send us your details. We will not use your data for any other purpose. Many thanks.
Datchet Design Guide
Datchet’s Neighbourhood Plan team has been working with urban, landscape and heritage planners to create a set of design principles for Datchet. Don’t miss your opportunity to evaluate and comment on this draft Datchet Design Guide: the consultation period runs from 25 February until 6pm on 7 April 2020.
RBWM is holding a Drop-in Session on Wednesday 11 March, from 3pm-8pm at The Village Hall, 3 Allen Way, Datchet SL3 9HR, where a planning officer will be available to answer any questions. The Datchet Neighbourhood Plan team will also be on hand to help and will be holding additional Drop-in Sessions on Saturday 21 March, from 11am-1pm at Datchet Library, 8 Horton Road, Datchet SL3 9ER, and from 1.30pm-3pm at The Bridge, 24 The Green, Datchet SL3 9JH. PLEASE NOTE: Due to the Coronavirus, these extra sessions at Datchet Library and The Bridge have had to be cancelled.
For more information about the Datchet Design Guide, click here
RBWM is holding a Drop-in Session on Wednesday 11 March, from 3pm-8pm at The Village Hall, 3 Allen Way, Datchet SL3 9HR, where a planning officer will be available to answer any questions. The Datchet Neighbourhood Plan team will also be on hand to help and will be holding additional Drop-in Sessions on Saturday 21 March, from 11am-1pm at Datchet Library, 8 Horton Road, Datchet SL3 9ER, and from 1.30pm-3pm at The Bridge, 24 The Green, Datchet SL3 9JH. PLEASE NOTE: Due to the Coronavirus, these extra sessions at Datchet Library and The Bridge have had to be cancelled.
For more information about the Datchet Design Guide, click here
Letters to Santa, 30 November 2019 - Open Spaces Survey
The DNP team was at St Nicholas’ Fayre at St Mary’s Church from 11am-4pm on Saturday 30 November. This year, we were running the ‘Letters to Santa’ stall where children could write their wish lists for Christmas and send them to the North Pole. While they were doing that, we listened to your wish lists for Datchet. We were particularly interested to find out more about the types of children’s play or leisure facilities which might be needed in the village, especially as the proposed new housing site in the Borough Local Plan, AL39 on London Road, is required to include some public play facilities. (See 'Revised Borough Local Plan' post, further down this page for more information.)
The DNP team is keen to hear from families, youth groups, nurseries, play groups, mother and baby groups, childminders and other carers, to find out what facilities you think are currently lacking. (You don’t need children to express a view!) If we didn’t see you at the Fayre, you can send us an email, to DatchetNP@datchetparishcouncil.gov.uk, write to the Datchet Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group c/o Datchet Parish Council, 1 Allen Way, Datchet SL3 9HR, or contact us via this website. We look forward to hearing from you.
For results from our Open Spaces Survey, click here.
The DNP team is keen to hear from families, youth groups, nurseries, play groups, mother and baby groups, childminders and other carers, to find out what facilities you think are currently lacking. (You don’t need children to express a view!) If we didn’t see you at the Fayre, you can send us an email, to DatchetNP@datchetparishcouncil.gov.uk, write to the Datchet Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group c/o Datchet Parish Council, 1 Allen Way, Datchet SL3 9HR, or contact us via this website. We look forward to hearing from you.
For results from our Open Spaces Survey, click here.
Datchet Design Guide, November 2019 update
One of the many supplementary documents which will be attached to the BLP, is the Borough-wide Design Guide (BDG). This sets out design standards to improve the quality of our local towns and villages. As a supplementary document to the BDG, the Datchet Neighbourhood Plan team has helped to research and draft a specific Datchet Design Guide, in conjunction with a planning consultant and RBWM planners. This is intended to help home owners, developers and planners to maintain and improve Datchet in ways which will be in keeping with the character of our local areas. If the Datchet Design Guide goes for approval by Borough Councillors at RBWM cabinet later this year, we anticipate that there will be a six-week consultation period in the new year, giving residents an opportunity to evaluate and comment on this guide. After consultation, the final document will then go to RBWM’s full council to agree adoption. We are unable to give exact timings at the moment as the DDG is a supplementary document and its schedule and content may be affected by that of the BDG.
Revised Borough Local Plan - Consultation closes 15 December 2019
As you may know, RBWM is in the process of creating a Borough Local Plan (BLP) which will determine future development in our area and guide decisions on planning applications. RBWM submitted its proposed BLP to the government’s Planning Inspector for examination nearly two years ago. Since then, several significant changes have been made. A revised version has been published for public consultation between 1 November and 15 December 2019. The revised sections will then be submitted for consideration by the Inspector as part of her ongoing examination. As Datchet’s Neighbourhood Plan sits under the umbrella of the BLP, these changes may also influence the content and scope of the Datchet Neighbourhood Plan (DNP) so the DNP team is keenly watching its progress.
Housing sites dropped from the BLP
The revised BLP has important implications for Datchet as two of the three proposed housing sites, HA41 on Slough Road and HA43 on Eton Road, have been withdrawn, and the number of new homes allocated to the village has been reduced from 350 to 80. The remaining housing site (now numbered AL39 instead of HA42) lies between London Road and the M4, and the proposed allocation on this site has been reduced from 150 to 80 housing units (although that does not mean that more than 80 can’t be built).
The proposed housing site AL39, formerly HA42, lies between London Road and the M4
The AL39 site is approximately 3.92Ha (9.5 acres), almost wholly in Flood Zone 2, mostly Grade 1 agricultural land, and it is currently in the Green Belt. Permission must be granted for this land to be taken out of the Green Belt before any development can take place. To do this, the contribution of the site to the Green Belt is assessed. As areas of the site may be used for Portakabin foundations and access routes for the Smart Motorway work, RBWM considers it to be urbanised and its agricultural land value diminished. The consultation process will allow members of the public to say whether they agree and, if not, why. (At the time of writing, the land is not being used to facilitate the M4 works.)
RBWM has proposed specific requirements for the AL39 site. These include:
Housing sites dropped from the BLP
The revised BLP has important implications for Datchet as two of the three proposed housing sites, HA41 on Slough Road and HA43 on Eton Road, have been withdrawn, and the number of new homes allocated to the village has been reduced from 350 to 80. The remaining housing site (now numbered AL39 instead of HA42) lies between London Road and the M4, and the proposed allocation on this site has been reduced from 150 to 80 housing units (although that does not mean that more than 80 can’t be built).
The proposed housing site AL39, formerly HA42, lies between London Road and the M4
The AL39 site is approximately 3.92Ha (9.5 acres), almost wholly in Flood Zone 2, mostly Grade 1 agricultural land, and it is currently in the Green Belt. Permission must be granted for this land to be taken out of the Green Belt before any development can take place. To do this, the contribution of the site to the Green Belt is assessed. As areas of the site may be used for Portakabin foundations and access routes for the Smart Motorway work, RBWM considers it to be urbanised and its agricultural land value diminished. The consultation process will allow members of the public to say whether they agree and, if not, why. (At the time of writing, the land is not being used to facilitate the M4 works.)
RBWM has proposed specific requirements for the AL39 site. These include:
- Housing
The site should include a mix of housing, including family homes with gardens, which respect the character of the area and the natural landscape, with 40 per cent affordable housing and clusters of fully-serviced plots for self-build. Their design should respond positively to the size, shape and rhythm of the existing development on London Road, and the impact on long-distance views into the site should be considered, especially from the Conservation Area. - Play areas and allotments
The best and most versatile soils on the site should be conserved with on-site open space, including play facilities, and allotments. - Connectivity
The developer is required to provide safe pedestrian and cycle routes through the site and easy access to the village centre, and ensure that the site is well-served by public transport. - Wildlife and trees
There should be a net gain in biodiversity, ensuring habitats areas are connected. Valuable trees should be retained with new planting of trees and hedgerows especially on the site boundaries. - Flooding, noise and air pollution
Sustainable drainage systems and flood alleviation measures should be integrated to mitigate flood risk and manage surface water run-off. Appropriate mitigation measures should address the impact of noise and air pollution from the M4.
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Datchet Bypass?
The Borough Local Plan includes, among its supporting documents, a Strategic Highway Model Report 2019. This assesses the impact of the proposed housing and employment development sites on the highways network in the borough. It lists the roundabout junction of the B470 London Road and the High Street in Datchet as a failing junction and proposes a potential mitigation scheme; a bypass from London Road through the proposed new housing allocation site, AL39, behind the cricket club and Churchmead school, rejoining Slough Road near White's Lane. However, it should be noted that the report also says 'this link is dependent on securing land', and it explains that the strategic modelling software used in the report 'is not able to accurately assess some of the proposed mitigation schemes' and recommends localised junction modelling. |
How to comment
To see the revised Borough Local Plan and associated documents, with details of how to comment, visit www3.rbwm.gov.uk/blp. Full information and hard copies are also available in the library and Parish Council office. Please note, the areas for comment are very limited; they should focus on ‘the proposed changes to the Borough Local Plan’ and on ‘legal compliance and soundness considerations’. The consultation period closes on 15 December 2019.
To see the revised Borough Local Plan and associated documents, with details of how to comment, visit www3.rbwm.gov.uk/blp. Full information and hard copies are also available in the library and Parish Council office. Please note, the areas for comment are very limited; they should focus on ‘the proposed changes to the Borough Local Plan’ and on ‘legal compliance and soundness considerations’. The consultation period closes on 15 December 2019.
Datchet Fete, 6 July 2019
The DNP team had a stall at this year's fete which was very well attended. We were asking visitors to complete the Clean Air Day questionnaire to tell us what would make it easier and more pleasant to walk or cycle around the village instead of using a car. We are very pleased to report that we have had nearly 250 responses to this survey. We have shared these results with the Parish Council. You can read the results in the 'evidence' section of this website.
Clean Air Day 20 June 2019
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Did you know that we are exposed to much higher levels of air pollution inside vehicles than if we walk or cycle?
Please complete our online Clean Air Day questionnaire Last year the Datchet Neighbourhood Plan team recorded high levels of pollution in the village centre so, as part of Clean Air Day 2019, with the support of Datchet Parish Council, we are investigating how to make walking and cycling easier and more pleasant through improvements in Planning. Where possible, leaving the car at home, and walking or cycling instead, is much better for our health and reduces harmful emissions. We will be in the village centre on 20 June, handing out questionnaires and information leaflets. |
At least 25 bird species found at Willowfields and Land at Mill Place
New local group, Wild About Datchet, invited the Datchet Neighbourhood Plan team to join their bird survey at Willowfields and The Land at Mill Place, the area behind the recreation ground, on Saturday 25 May, at 7.30am. The survey was led by Brian, a volunteer from the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust who has a remarkable talent for being able to identify birds from their songs and calls; he didn't even need to see them. It was an interesting and informative walk for anyone who is keen to learn more about local wildlife Around 25 different species were identified. The DNP team was particularly interested in the survey as birds are an indicator species; the numbers and types of birds can tell us a lot about the condition of these areas and how well they can support wildlife. The results of this survey might help inform any future decisions about how best to manage the trees and scrub in that area.
NEXT SURVEY There will be a Butterfly Survey on 1 July, leaving from the Village Hall at 11am, see the WildAboutDatchet website for details
NEXT SURVEY There will be a Butterfly Survey on 1 July, leaving from the Village Hall at 11am, see the WildAboutDatchet website for details
DNP Drop-in Session a success!
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Following the series of Character Assessment Walks with local residents throughout 2018, the Neighbourhood Plan team published first drafts of the assessments. Residents were invited to comment on these drafts at a special Drop-In Session on Sunday 27 January 2019 from 11.30am-4pm in the Village Hall. To see the leaflet about this event, which was delivered to every house in Datchet, please click here. Almost 100 people turned up on the day to tell us what they think we've got right and what we've missed. No-one knows an area better than the people who live and work there, and your help was invaluable, thank you. You can read everyone's comments here. Your feedback has also been added to the individual Character Assessments
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Datchet receives design grant
To support Datchet’s Neighbourhood Plan, the Borough Council (RBWM) has recently secured a grant from the Government’s Design Quality Fund for the development of a Datchet Design Guide. RBWM is currently writing a borough-wide design guide but this one will be a Supplementary Planning Document specific to Datchet. The scope of Datchet’s Design Guide has yet to be determined but it represents an opportunity to achieve high-quality design in all new development throughout the village and will give us all an opportunity to have a say in how the village will look in future. The Datchet Neighbourhood Plan team will be able to share with specialist urban planners the evidence it has collected and explore how good design criteria might resolve some of the issues you’ve highlighted. Once completed, the proposed Design Guide will go out to consulation so everyone can comment on it, and there will be a vote to decide whether or not to accept it at RBWM council.
Character Assessment walks - April to July 2018
Over spring and early summer 2018, the Neighbourhood Plan team organised Character Assessment walks in the village, covering Slough Road, Eton Road, the Conservation Area (village centre), Ditton Road, London Road and Horton Road. These walks were advertised with a leaflet drop, on this website, on the DNP and Datchet Eye Facebook pages, and also in The Link magazine which is delivered to every house in the village. People who live in these areas or were keen to join in, were invited to come along to the weekend and weekday walks which usually took a couple of hours. The intention is to create a record of what we have now, and to record what works well and what could be better so that we can try and ensure that any new developments, large or small, are of an appropriate design that respects and complements the existing local character.
Where and when
The following walks have now been completed: Slough Road: 28 April and 2 May. Eton Road: 12 and 16 May. Conservation Area: 27 and 31 May. Ditton Road: 9 and 14 June. London Road: 23 and 27 June. Horton Road: 15 and 18 July.
Click here to read more about Character Assessments.
To see copies of the leaflets about these Character Assessment walks, please click here: Leaflet 1, Leaflet 2
Where and when
The following walks have now been completed: Slough Road: 28 April and 2 May. Eton Road: 12 and 16 May. Conservation Area: 27 and 31 May. Ditton Road: 9 and 14 June. London Road: 23 and 27 June. Horton Road: 15 and 18 July.
Click here to read more about Character Assessments.
To see copies of the leaflets about these Character Assessment walks, please click here: Leaflet 1, Leaflet 2
Low-carbon neighbourhood planning - April 2018
Datchet's Neighbourhood Plan team invited Dan Stone, project manager at the Centre for Sustainable Energy, to come and talk to the Steering Group on 17 April 2018 about sustainability and climate issues in our area, and the accompanying opportunities for Datchet's Neighbourhood Plan, e.g. in transport, improving green spaces, the energy efficiency of existing and new buildings, flooding, habitat protection and renewable energy. We'll keep you posted.
Tell the developers what you think about the proposals for new housing - March 2018
Did you go along to the public exhibition in Datchet Village Hall on 28 March? Inland Homes, which has an interest in the proposed housing site in London Road, presented planning proposals for this site. (If you missed it or would like to see the details again, click here: Datchet Exhibition Boards). The company says its aim is "to work with the local community in understanding not only housing need locally but also what wider benefits can be provided from development". They left a questionnaire for us to provide feedback. If you haven't filled one in already, you'll find details below (see links). There is also an email address to make further comments: londonroaddatchet@cratus.co.uk It's important that we let the developers know what we think.
Click on the links below to see the two-page questionnaire:
Questionnaire page 1
Questionnaire page 2
Please note: The Borough Local Plan proposes taking some sites in Datchet, including the London Road site HA42, out of the Green Belt. This has to be approved by government before any work can begin as development is not permitted on the Green Belt. The submission version of the Borough Local Plan and its supporting documents were submitted to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government in January 2018 for examination by the Planning Inspector. It is expected that a public hearing will take place later this year for the inspector to investigate matters, issues and questions relating to the submitted plan. If the inspector finds the BLP is ‘sound’, the plan can then be considered for formal adoption by RBWM council. If the land is subsequently taken out of the Green Belt, and development is permitted, proposals will then have to go through the usual planning procedures, taking into account the flood zone, design, drainage, air quality, impact on local traffic, and other considerations. You can read the submitted plan and documentation on the council's website: www3.rbwm.gov.uk/blp
Click on the links below to see the two-page questionnaire:
Questionnaire page 1
Questionnaire page 2
Please note: The Borough Local Plan proposes taking some sites in Datchet, including the London Road site HA42, out of the Green Belt. This has to be approved by government before any work can begin as development is not permitted on the Green Belt. The submission version of the Borough Local Plan and its supporting documents were submitted to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government in January 2018 for examination by the Planning Inspector. It is expected that a public hearing will take place later this year for the inspector to investigate matters, issues and questions relating to the submitted plan. If the inspector finds the BLP is ‘sound’, the plan can then be considered for formal adoption by RBWM council. If the land is subsequently taken out of the Green Belt, and development is permitted, proposals will then have to go through the usual planning procedures, taking into account the flood zone, design, drainage, air quality, impact on local traffic, and other considerations. You can read the submitted plan and documentation on the council's website: www3.rbwm.gov.uk/blp
Out and about, Winter 2018
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You may have seen a group of people with clipboards wandering around your road recently. That's the Neighbourhood Plan team. We've been doing a couple of practice Character Assessment walks so that we understand what's involved and can then invite residents to join us. If you see us in your road - we're easy to recognise with our pens and clipboards - please come and say hello and tell us about your area. We will soon be launching a full series of walks so that we cover the whole of the village, street by street, involving as many residents as possible.
Click here to read more about Character Assessments |
January 2018 update
After analysing the survey results, the Neighbourhood Plan team has been busy compiling additional background evidence to support our Neighbourhood Plan (see the Evidence section in the main menu). We have arranged some specialist training for the Steering Group to take place in mid-January and we shall also be starting local Character Assessment walks and focusing on various issues and topics the plan will address. We will be publicising information around the village and will invite residents to join us. If you'd like to participate, please make sure you send us your contact details.
Datchet Neighbourhood Plan survey
The survey closed on 31 July 2017. The information you provided will be used to help guide Datchet's Neighbourhood Plan. For more information and to read the preliminary results, see the Survey section in the main menu.
July update
In July, Datchet's Neighbourhood Plan team has had a stall at the Village Fete, The Evelyn Ellis Re-run and the Big BBQ Boogie on the Green, (in addition to sessions at the railway station and Tesco). Thank you to everyone who came along to find out more about the progress of Datchet's Neighbourhood Plan.
Local events - Spring 2017
The Neighbourhood Plan team is regularly out and about in the village, explaining how neighbourhood plans work, handing out leaflets, and asking for feedback. Over the past few weeks, for example, we have been hearing your thoughts at the Cemetery Chapel Open Day, the Easter Egg Hunt, at events in the Village Hall, at Datchet Railway Station, and outside Tesco.
Did you know we're on Facebook?
You can also keep up to date with Datchet's Neighbourhood Plan on Facebook, see www.facebook.com/datchetneighbourhoodplan
Village-wide survey - April-July 2017
An online survey, from April to July, asked everyone who lives or works here to tell us what they like and dislike about the village. The results will help us determine which topics are covered in our Neighbourhood Plan. Paper survey forms were also available at The Bridge, the Library and The Royal Stag. The survey has been advertised on Datchet Eye, in The Link, in shops and other outlets, and in a village-wide poster campaign, and we're grateful to everyone who encouraged friends and neighbours to get involved.
Local groups and schools
The Datchet Neighbourhood Plan team continues to meet with local groups. If you run a local group and would like someone to come along to talk about the Plan and explain how you can get involved, please contact us.
There have also been Neighbourhood Plan projects at two of our village schools. The aim is to find out how everyone, young and old, sees the future of Datchet. You can read the children's feedback here.
There have also been Neighbourhood Plan projects at two of our village schools. The aim is to find out how everyone, young and old, sees the future of Datchet. You can read the children's feedback here.
New leaflet
A new leaflet explaining about the Neighbourhood Plan was launched in March 2017. This six-page leaflet is being distributed at local events and consultations and is available at numerous outlets in the village including the library, The Bridge, The Royal Stag and Thames Valley Athletics Centre.
Download a copy of the leaflet, click here
Download a copy of the leaflet, click here