Last updated:
19th June 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
Following a successful referendum on 7 May 2026, the Charvil Neighbourhood Plan has now been formally 'made' (adopted). Further details can be found on the adopted plans page.
Additionally, the examination of the Sonning Neighbourhood plan has now concluded with the Examiner confirming that, subject to recommended modifications, the plan meets the basic conditions and all other requirements and can proceed to a referendum. Please see below under the Sonning heading for further information.
Remenham
Remenham Parish was designated as a Neighbourhood Area on 26 July 2013.
See the documents below:
- Remenham Parish Council Application (PDF)
- Remenham Neighbourhood Area map (PDF)
- Neighbourhood Area Application Decision Notice (PDF)
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 sought views on the plan in line with legislation (Regulation 16 of the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations) from Monday 2 February to 5pm on Monday 16 March 2026.
Wokingham Borough Council appointed Andrew Ashcroft 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 'made' (adopted).
The Examiner's report and other relevant examination documents can be found below. This includes an updated Basic Conditions Statement, which was subject to a targeted consultation between 15 and 29 April 2026 in order to reflect new legislation that came into force on 25 March 2026, which made updates to the 'basic conditions' that neighbourhood plans are required to meet.
- Sonning Independent Examiner's Report (PDF)
- Sonning Neighbourhood Plan - Examination Arrangements April 2026 (PDF)
- Sonning Neighbourhood Plan - Clarification Note April 2026 (PDF)
- Basic Conditions Statement April 2026 (PDF)
Copies of the submitted plan and key supporting documents can be viewed below:
- Sonning Submission Neighbourhood Plan (PDF)
- Consultation statement (PDF)
- Basic Conditions Statement November 2025 (PDF)
Further supporting documents, including background evidence, are available to view on the Sonning Neighbourhood Plan website.
Previous stages of plan preparation
Sonning Parish was designated as a Neighbourhood Area on 24 October 2019.
See the documents below:
- Application for designation of Sonning Parish as a Neighbourhood Area (PDF)
- Sonning Neighbourhood Area Boundary Map (PDF)
- Neighbourhood Area Application Decision Notice (PDF)
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:
- Application for designation of St Nicholas Hurst Parish as a Neighbourhood Area (PDF)
- St Nicholas Hurst Neighbourhood Area Boundary Map (PDF)
- Neighbourhood Area Application Decision Notice (PDF)
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:
- Application for the designation of Swallowfield Parish as a Neighbourhood Area (PDF)
- Neighbourhood Area Application Decision Notice (PDF)
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:
