CAPC is working on a response to the Local Plan Consultation, to be approved at the 28.1.25 meeting. The deadline is looming with only 4 days left and parishioners are encouraged to make their own individual responses. You can view the Consultation on the WBC website (consultation now closed).
To help with that, we’ve published a few key points that highlight the importance of protecting Cold Ash’s identity, respecting local democracy, and ensuring responsible, evidence-backed planning for the parish’s future, particularly when responding to the inclusion of sites CA12 and CA17 in the West Berkshire Local Plan:
1. Lack of Community Consultation
The decision to extend the Local Plan Review (LPR) period and reinstate sites CA12 and CA17 was made without consulting the community. This significant shift from the Regulation 18 and 19 strategies undermines the principles of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which emphasizes the importance of community involvement.
2. Disregard for the Cold Ash Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP)
The Cold Ash NDP, adopted in May 2024, was created with substantial community input and identified CA12 and CA17 as unsuitable for development. WBC’s decision to include these sites ignores the NDP, contradicting the NPPF’s assertion that neighbourhood plans are part of the statutory development plan.
3. Insufficient Evidence for Reinstating CA12 and CA17
WBC has failed to provide clear evidence justifying why these sites, previously rejected, are now considered suitable. The updated Sustainability Appraisal (SA)/Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) lacks transparency and reverses earlier findings without explanation.
4. Flood Risk and Environmental Concerns
CA12 includes a major surface flood flow route, requiring substantial attenuation measures that reduce the developable area. Both sites risk coalescing Cold Ash and Thatcham, harming the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and disrupting the green gap identified in the NDP.
5. Infrastructure Limitations
The proposed sites lack adequate infrastructure, including safe travel routes to schools and sufficient capacity in medical practices. Development risks further straining already overstretched local services.
6. Alternative Approaches Not Explored
WBC has not updated the Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) since January 2023, missing opportunities to identify new or more suitable sites. A “broad location” strategy, as suggested by the Inspector, could allow for fuller studies (e.g., flooding, ecology) and community involvement in identifying appropriate development areas.
7. Impact on Housing Balance
The reliance on windfall sites is disproportionately high. Including CA12 and CA17 could exacerbate imbalances in housing types, favouring urbanization over sustainable development.
8. Request for Immediate Action
Respondents should demand:
A transparent review process for site allocations, including new community consultations.
A commitment to reinstate the original LPR timescale with an immediate review post-adoption.
Greater alignment with the Cold Ash NDP and policies supporting sustainable, community-led development.
How can you comment?
Representations need to be made in writing, either by letter, WBC form or email.
You can either: use the representation form available on the WBC website or put your comments directly into an email to planningpolicy@westberks.gov.uk
They are unable to accept anonymous representations so you must include your name and contact details. Make it clear you are commenting on WBC Local Plan Main Modifications.
The consultation runs until Friday 31.1.2025 and we’re encouraging all residents to have their say.