The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead has adopted an important planning document that will help to shape future development within the Datchet Parish.
The Datchet Neighbourhood Plan was produced by local people on the Datchet Neighbourhood Plan group, on behalf of the parish council, following a process of community and stakeholder consultation, as well as an independent examination.
On 4 May, the Royal Borough held a Local Referendum on the final version of the draft plan, resulting in 1,014 votes in support and 127 votes against, with a turnout of 30.38 per cent within the parish.
Last night, the Royal Borough’s Full Council voted unanimously to formally adopt or “make” the plan as part of the council’s Development Plan, meaning the policies it contains will be used to decide planning applications within the parish.
Councillor Adam Bermange, Cabinet member for planning, legal and asset management, said: “Formal adoption is the culmination of an extensive community-led process of engagement to help shape this plan, which is now a key consideration in deciding planning applications within the parish.
“It’s clear from the Local Referendum that the plan has significant support within the parish, and I would like to congratulate the Datchet group of local people who led this process, and to thank everyone who has contributed their thoughts over the years.
“Neighbourhood Plans are produced by communities themselves and give them more control over the type, location, size and design of development in their area. We encourage Neighbourhood Planning as a way to give communities further influence over development, and we now have seven adopted Neighbourhood Plans within the borough.”
Alison Crampin, local resident and chair of the Datchet Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, said: “The Datchet Neighbourhood Plan team would like to thank the Royal Borough and its officers, firstly for the opportunity to create a Neighbourhood Plan, and secondly for their assistance and support throughout its development.
“The Plan was several years in the making while we engaged widely with the community to identify planning issues which were considered important. These included topics such as flooding, housing, design and character, heritage, green spaces, biodiversity, air pollution, safe walking and cycling, sustainable construction, and more.
“We're delighted that the plan received overwhelming support at the recent referendum and has now been formally adopted. This means that residents' views about the development of the Datchet will be taken into account when deciding future planning applications, helping to safeguard the unique character and heritage of the village. Issues raised by residents, which weren't directly covered by Planning, have been included in a list of non-policy actions to be followed up by Datchet Parish Council.”