The stakeholder master planning process formalises good practice in relation to pre-application discussions with the council, stakeholders, and the local community, by requiring developers of larger sites to engage at an early stage in the development process.
Policy QP1 in the emerging Borough Local Plan, requires the preparation of Stakeholder Masterplan Documents (SMDs) for developments which are either:
- 100+ net new dwellings, or
- 5,000 sq m of employment or mixed use floorspace.
Landowners and developers (or site promoters) are responsible for preparing the SMDs in collaboration with the council.
The council will work proactively with site promoters to agree the most appropriate scope and form for the SMD, with a view to ensuring that the process adds value from a placemaking perspective.
Elected Members will ‘approve’ the final document for Development Management purposes at Cabinet.
It should be noted that SMDs will not form part of the Development Plan in the Royal Borough. They do not have the same weight as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) produced in accordance with Regulations 11 to 16 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.
However, they will be an important material consideration in determining future planning applications for development of the site.
More information can be found in our FAQ section.