WHEN elections return next year Crowthorne residents will have an extra vote to cast as they get set to judge their village’s neighbourhood plan.

Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) has said yes to going ahead with a referendum on the plan, which will help BFC to determine planning applications in the area up to 2036.

The foreword in the plan, written by councillor Richard Price of Crowthorne Parish Council, reads: “The plan takes into account that there are no large areas within the Parish Council boundaries that are available for development that have not already been included in the Bracknell Forest Council Site Allocations Local Plan.

Bracknell News:

“Therefore, this Plan aims to preserve and enhance the existing neighbourhood characteristics, and settlement boundaries, with gaps separating Crowthorne from Bracknell.

“The Plan includes the policies to maintain and encourage employment opportunities within the Parish Council area together with maintaining the Shopping Areas of Crowthorne High Street, Dukes Ride and Church Street and encourage the introduction of additional variety of shops to the area.”

Protections for buildings not currently listed are identified in the plan.

A lack of public parking is also acknowledged, and the plan encourages the use of bicycles and public transport as well as the maintenance of public footpaths to reach the centre of Crowthorne.

You can read the full plan here: 

A public consultation on the plan was held between September 23, 2019, and November 4, 2019.

The next step is a referendum on the plan, which will be held on May 6, 2021, unless authorities are told they are allowed to hold elections earlier.

The cost of the vote could be up to £23,000, according to BFC.