Purpose

To seek the formal adoption of the Parking Standards Supplementary Planning Document 202 to be used as a material consideration in the determination of relevant planning applications

Decision

RESOLVED That the Cabinet:

i. Approves the adoption of the Parking Standards Supplementary Planning

Document (2026) (Appendix A).

ii. Approves that the existing Parking Standards Supplementary Planning

Document (2016) is withdrawn.

iii. Delegates authority to the Executive Director: Place in consultation with

the Cabinet Member for Planning, Transport and Countryside to approve

any necessary minor amendments to the Parking Standards

Supplementary Planning Document (2026) prior to publication.

Reasons for the decision

Planning applications are being determined in accordance with Local Plan policies as detailed in paragraph 1.2 above.  It is important that up-to-date associated guidance is made available to provide prospective applicants with a clearer understanding of the Council’s requirements regarding policies concerned with parking standards and associated parking matters.

Once adopted it will replace the existing Parking Standards SPD which was adopted in 2016.

]The current Parking Standards Supplementary Planning Document dated 2016 is increasingly out-of-date. It refers to the old Use Classes Order and fails to provide parking standards to serve developments such as large Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspaces (SANGs). It also adopts an inflexible approach which does not support the Council’s  strategy to focus new development in and around the town centre and encourage the use of sustainable transport options.

The Parking Standards Supplementary Planning Document 2026 addresses these issues, including by introducing  a more flexible approach to parking provision in instances where this can be robustly justified and supported through the provision of sustainable transport options such as car clubs and financial contributions toward off-site travel planning measures.

The preparation of the SPD contributes towards the Council Plan (2023-2027) priorities by ensuring that Bracknell town centre continues to thrive, the local transport network provides choice in travel and there is collective action to address and adapt to the climate emergency.

Alternative options considered

The Council could opt to not produce an SPD and instead rely on the current out-of-date and incorrect SPD dated 2016.  The absence of an adopted up to date SPD would make the assessment of planning applications open to interpretation and inconsistent with national regulations. Production of the SPD will assist potential developers and other interested parties by providing clarity on the Council’s expectations in how parking provision to serve new developments should be provided.

There is no option to delay the adoption of the SPD.  This is because Regulation 6 (of Schedule 1) of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (Commencement No.11 and Saving and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026 states that supplementary planning documents can be adopted no later than 30 June 2026.  This is part of the changes to the national plan making system.