1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 What is a Neighbourhood Plan?

1.1.1 A Neighbourhood Plan (NP) allows local people to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood and to help decide where new developments should go and what they might look like. NPs are a statutory planning document made possible through the Localism Act 2011 and the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012. Once approved, the NP becomes a legal planning document which must be taken into account when making planning decisions. In addition, the NP can act as a prospectus and tool to bring together local stakeholders to help deliver change.

1.2 What it can and can’t do

1.2.1 A NP can guide decisions on planning applications within the neighbourhood area. This means that some of the most important issues which face us in the Windsor Neighbourhood Plan (WNP) area are not directly within the scope of neighbourhood planning, such as traffic congestion, public transport, the provision of public services and major land use decisions defined as “strategic” (as covered in Local Plans produced by Local Planning Authorities¹). Also excluded are developments allowed as “permitted development”. Nevertheless, the knowledge and experience gained through the process of developing the NP shall inform and influence decisions that are not within scope of planning regulations, and some issues of concern to the community can be progressed as “projects” in partnership with others. Possible “Projects” are identified in Section 11 of this plan.

1.3 Sustainability

1.3.1 Sustainable development is a golden thread that runs through the WNP. Development which is sustainable and enhances the local area is welcomed. The WNP has no obvious new “greenfield” sites available within the urban area, but areas have been identified where development could include extra housing and employment opportunities at the same time as enhancing the local environment.

1.3.2 The historic and natural environments are a key part of Windsor’s character, and WNP policies encourage development to enhance these aspects. A Strategic Environmental Assessment has been prepared alongside the production of this plan to assess the potential cumulative effects of the WNP’s policies. The WNP has an opportunity to meet local concerns and to encourage the following sustainable development:

Enhance the appearance of new housing and employment developments in the town, improve community facilities and key facilities to the west, and improve local shopping possibilities.
Maintain and improve open spaces and the environment, and ensure the enhancement and preservation of heritage.
Support the continuing success of local businesses, providing important jobs for local people and generating expenditure in the local economy.
Consider possibilities for the location of more housing and open space.
Enhance sustainable transport infrastructure.

1.4 The Neighbourhood Plan Area

1.4.1 The Windsor NP Area (see Map 1 overleaf The WNP Area) covers the majority of the residential areas of the town but excludes the town centre (including the Castle and Home Park and the riverside area around the Leisure Centre, Alexandra Gardens and The Goswells) and a small area in the west which is in Bray Parish. The WNP includes the pre-2019 electoral wards² of Park, Clewer East, Clewer South together with most of Castle Without and Clewer North.

Map 1 The WNP Area

1.5 The History of Neighbourhood Planning in Windsor

1.5.1 The Windsor Neighbourhood Forum was designated by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) in August 2014. At the same time, the “Windsor 2030” Business Neighbourhood Forum was formed, designated and charged with producing a NP for the town centre and central riverside area. (See Map 2 below Adjoining NP Areas)

Map 2 Adjoining NP Areas

1.6 How we developed the Plan

1.6.1 The WNP has been developed through extensive and open consultations with the people and businesses of Windsor as well as other NP groups and other relevant organisations. The WNP been through seven stages of consultation in total. For further details on all of the consultations undertaken see the Consultation Statement. All NPs have to follow a set legal process through a series of stages from the initial designation of a body to developing the plan, up to a local referendum to decide whether or not to adopt the plan.

1.6.2 Once made the WNP shall cover the plan period 2019–2034. This time frame broadly fits with the RBWM planning cycle as the emerging BLP is intended to apply from 2013 to 2033.

¹ Planning Practice Guidance - General conformity with the strategic policies contained in the development plan (Paragraph: 074 Reference ID: 41-074-20140306 Revision date: 06 03 2014). Accessed at:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/neighbourhood-planning--2#General-conformity-with-strategic-policies

² The same WNP designated area will still apply after the new Ward Boundaries came into effect at the May 2019 local elections, so if the WNP is made it will apply across the new ward boundaries.

< Previous | ^ Top | Next >