West Berkshire Local Plan Review 2023-2041 Strategic Policies

 The strategic policies are grouped into four themes and are available to view/download below. An Interactive Policies Map is available to view here which geographically illustrates the policies.

Our Place Based Approach

• Policy SP1 The Spatial Strategy [177KB]
• Policy SP2 North Wessex Downs National Landscape [169KB] . To aid in the interpretation of this policy, the following documents offer further guidance:
  • North Wessex Downs Landscape Character Assessment (2025)
  • West Berkshire Landscape Character Assessment (2019)
  • Management Plan for the North Wessex Downs 2025-2030 
• Policy SP3 Settlement Hierarchy [206KB]
• Policy SP4 AWE Aldermaston and Burghfield [237KB]

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Our Environment and Surroundings

• Policy SP5 Responding to Climate Change [161KB] . This policy requires applicants to submit a Sustainability Statement alongside a planning application. To provide further guidance on this requirement, the Council have prepared the following two documents: 
  • WBC Sustainability Statement Guidance (July 2025) [427KB] : this document is aimed at applicants of residential developments of five or more dwellings or non-residential development of 100 square meters. It explains how the Sustainability Statement should be prepared.  
  • Model Sustainability Statement - Householder and Small Applications (July 2025) [594KB] : this document is aimed at applicants of small developments (including householder applications, residential developments of less than five dwellings, and non-residential development of less than 100 square meters). It provides a model Sustainability Statement which applicants can download, complete, and submit alongside their planning application. 
• Policy SP6 Flood Risk [198KB] . This policy is supported by the adopted Sustainable Drainage Systems Supplementary Planning Document which is available to view/download here.   
• Policy SP7 Design Quality [170KB] . To aid in the interpretation of this policy, the following documents provide further guidance:
  • National Design Guide
  • Adopted Quality Design West Berkshire Supplementary Planning Document
  • Adopted Shopfronts and Signs Supplementary Planning Guidance [2MB]
  • Conservation Area Appraisals
  • Town and village design statements
  • Neighbourhood plans
  • Parish plans
• Policy SP8 Landscape Character [169KB] . To aid in the interpretation of this policy, the Landscape Character Assessments prepared by the Council and the North Wessex Downs National Landscape provide further guidance. These documents can be accessed online here.
• Policy SP9 Historic Environment [199KB]  
• Policy SP10 Green Infrastructure [214KB]
• Policy SP11 Biodiversity & Geodiversity [250KB]

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Delivering Housing

• Policy SP12 Approach to Housing Delivery [257KB] . The policy makes reference to the Council's five-year housing land supply, details of which can be found online here.
• Policy SP13 Sandleford Strategic Site [1MB] . This policy is supported by the adopted Sandleford Park Supplementary Planning Document which is available to view/download here.
• Policy SP14 North East Thatcham Strategic Site [1MB]
• Policy SP15 Housing Type & Mix [167KB]
• Policy SP16 Affordable Housing [183KB]  

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Fostering Economic Growth and Supporting Local Communities

• Policy SP17 Strategic Approach to Employment Land [186KB]
• Policy SP18 Town & District Centres [171KB]
• Policy SP19 Transport [167KB]
• Policy SP20 Infrastructure Requirements & Delivery [160KB] . This policy is supported by the adopted Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document which is available view/download here. 

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