Last updated:

2nd February 2026

Neighbourhood Development Plans

Neighbourhood development plans (sometimes simply called neighbourhood plans) are led by the community through the parish or town council. They enable communities to influence how their local area should develop and grow.

The following parish and town councils are working on preparing plans, having applied and been designated as a neighbourhood area.

Latest news

Consultation on the submission version of the Sonning neighbourhood plan commenced on 2 February and runs until 16 March 2026. Please see below under the Sonning heading for further information. 

Additionally, the Charvil neighbourhood plan concluded its independent examination process in January 2026. Further details, including the Examiner's Report, are available under the Charvil heading below.

Charvil

Charvil Parish Council has been working on a neighbourhood plan for a number of years and submitted their proposed plan to Wokingham Borough Council in June 2025. This set out planning policies to guide the development and use of land in the parish up to 2040.

We sought views on the plan in line with legislation (Regulation 16 of the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations) from Monday 1 September to Monday 13 October 2025. 

Wokingham Borough Council appointed Ann Skippers MRTPI to undertake the Examination of the plan. All comments received during the consultation were sent to the Examiner who considered whether the plan meets a set of prescribed 'basic conditions' and other legal requirements. Further information on the 'basic conditions' can be found in the National Planning Practice Guidance. 

The Examiner concluded that, subject to recommended modifications, the plan meets the basic conditions and all other requirements. The Council will now arrange for a referendum to take place where residents of the parish will be able to vote on whether the plan should be adopted.

The Examiner's Report can be found below:

Copies of the submitted plan and key supporting documents can be viewed below:

Further supporting documents, including background evidence, can be viewed on the Charvil Neighbourhood Plan website.

Previous stages of plan preparation

Charvil Parish was designated as a Neighbourhood Area on 23 September 2020.

See the documents below:

You can find out more about the progress of the Charvil Neighbourhood Plan by visiting the Charvil Neighbourhood Plan website.

Remenham

Remenham Parish was designated as a Neighbourhood Area on 26 July 2013.

See the documents below:

Sonning

Sonning Parish Council formally submitted their proposed neighbourhood plan to Wokingham Borough Council in November 2025. This sets out planning policies to guide the development and use of land in the parish up to 2040.

We are now seeking views on the plan in line with legislation (Regulation 16 of the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations). You are invited to submit your representations on the plan from Monday 2 February to 5pm on Monday 16 March 2026.

Please find the plan and key supporting documents below:

During the consultation period, hard copies of the plan and the above supporting documents can also be viewed at:

  • The Council Offices: Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1BN
  • Wokingham Library: Carnival Hub, Wellington Road, Wokingham, RG40 2AF

Further supporting documents, including background evidence, are available to view on the Sonning Neighbourhood Plan website.

How to respond

You can complete the consultation response form (some paper copies are available at our Shute End offices reception) and return to us by:

  • Email: policyandplans@wokingham.gov.uk
  • Post: Planning Policy and Infrastructure Team, Wokingham Borough Council, Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1WR

You can also simply send comments to us via either of the two contact addresses above or alternatively comment directly on the version of the plan available on our dedicated Engage consultation webpage. 

Please note that comments received after 5pm on 16 March 2026 will not be able to be considered. Anonymous comments cannot be accepted and will not be considered. Your personal data will be held and processed in accordance with the council's Privacy Notice. 

Next steps

After the consultation all comments will be sent to an independent Examiner who will consider whether the Plan meets a set of prescribed 'basic conditions' and other legal requirements. Further information on the 'basic conditions' can be found in the National Planning Practice Guidance.

Previous stages of plan preparation

Sonning Parish was designated as a Neighbourhood Area on 24 October 2019.

See the documents below:

You can find out more about the background of the Sonning Neighbourhood Plan by visiting the Sonning Neighbourhood Plan website.

St Nicholas Hurst

St Nicholas Hurst Parish was designated as a Neighbourhood Area on 10 April 2018.

See the documents below:

You can find out more about the progress of the St Nicholas Hurst Neighbourhood Plan by visiting the St Nicholas Hurst Neighbourhood Plan website.

Swallowfield 

Swallowfield Parish was designated as a Neighbourhood Area on 14 February 2023.

See the documents below:

You can find our more about the progress of the Swallowfield Neighbourhood Plan by visiting the Swallowfield Parish Council website.

Wokingham Without

Wokingham Without Parish was designated as a Neighbourhood Area on 6 August 2018.

See the documents below:

Give website feedback

Happy face Neutral face Sad face