West Berkshire Local Plan Review 2023-2041 Strategic Policies

The strategic policies are grouped into four themes and are available to view by clicking on the links below.

Our Place Based Approach

• Policy SP1 The Spatial Strategy [177KB]
• Policy SP2 North Wessex Downs National Landscape [169KB] .
• Policy SP3 Settlement Hierarchy [206KB]
• Policy SP4 AWE Aldermaston and Burghfield [237KB]

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Our Environment and Surroundings

• Policy SP5 Responding to Climate Change [161KB] . This policy requires applicants to submit a Sustainability Statement alongside a planning application. To provide further guidance on this requirement, the Council has prepared the following two documents: 
  • WBC Sustainability Statement Guidance (July 2025) [427KB] : this document is aimed at applicants of residential developments of five or more dwellings or non-residential development of 100 square metres. It explains how the Sustainability Statement should be prepared.  
  • Model Sustainability Statement - Householder and Small Applications (July 2025) [594KB] : this document is aimed at applicants of small developments (including householder applications, residential developments of less than five dwellings, and non-residential development of less than 100 square metres). It provides a model Sustainability Statement which applicants can download, complete, and submit alongside their planning application. 
• Policy SP6 Flood Risk [198KB] . 
• Policy SP7 Design Quality [170KB] .
• Policy SP8 Landscape Character [169KB] . 
• Policy SP9 Historic Environment [199KB]  
• Policy SP10 Green Infrastructure [214KB]
• Policy SP11 Biodiversity & Geodiversity [250KB]

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Delivering Housing

• Policy SP12 Approach to Housing Delivery [257KB] . The policy makes reference to the Council's five-year housing land supply, details of which can be found online here.
• Policy SP13 Sandleford Strategic Site [1MB] . 
• Policy SP14 North East Thatcham Strategic Site [1MB]
• Policy SP15 Housing Type & Mix [167KB]
• Policy SP16 Affordable Housing [183KB]  

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Fostering Economic Growth and Supporting Local Communities

• Policy SP17 Strategic Approach to Employment Land [186KB]
• Policy SP18 Town & District Centres [171KB]
• Policy SP19 Transport [167KB]
• Policy SP20 Infrastructure Requirements & Delivery [160KB] . 

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