CCB Training for RBWM Neighbourhood Planning Groups

On  the 19th of April at Maidenhead Town Hall Windsor and Maidenhead Neighbourhood Planning groups had the benefit of a free training session run by RBWM to help them get through the hurdles they are currently facing preparing their Neighbourhood Plans..

The training, organised by Robert Paddison from the RBWM Planning Team, brought together Arlene Kersley from the Community Council of Berkshire (CCB) who provided a process overview, with Jed Griffiths from Griffiths Environmental Planning, a veteran planner from Hertfordshire who spoke specifically about writing policies appropriate in the Green Belt.

Cllr. Christine Bateson introduced the session with an update on the current progress of the Neighbourhood Plan Groups in the Borough.  The Borough was a vanguard for Neighbourhood Planning back in 2012.

Ascot and the Sunnings was one of the very first Neighbourhood Plans to be adopted in the country.

Hurley and the Walthams has now passed examination and is awaiting referendum.  Arlene Kersley from CCB has been a member of the Steering Group and the chair of the Housing Task Group, in addition to providing support getting the plan through submission. Arlene is also a Locality Neighbourhood Planning Champion.

Several other plans are nearly at the point of examination. Including Horton and Wraysbury, and Bray, with the Windsor plans following close behind.

The training was particularly aimed at helping the groups who are still at the early stages of the process to understand the importance of writing clear and meaningful policies that will stand up to examination and will serve their community long into the future.  In addition all the groups were given an idea of what the processes are to get to the point of submission of a plan and what to expect from an Examination report.

With the end of this event comes the end of an era, as this will be Arlene's last training event with CCB.  Arlene will be retiring from CCB from Monday 24th of April.