Decision

Approval of the Local Enforcement Plan (2026) for use in decision making in relation to the investigation of, and the taking of action against, breaches of planning control within Bracknell Forest.

Reasons for the decision

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG) encourage local authorities to adopt a Local Enforcement Plan (LEP) to manage enforcement proactively, in a way appropriate to their area. It is good practice that such a plan is regularly reviewed to ensure that it remains consistent with national policy and legislation.

The current LEP was approved in 2021 since which time there have been a number of legislative changes to planning enforcement powers introduced by the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. The existing plan has been reviewed and updated to reflect these changes. The revised version does not propose any change in how the Local Planning Authority (LPA) will act beyond those governed by legislation. It sets out the approach that the council, acting as the LPA, will take in relation to breaches of planning rules in Bracknell Forest, particularly in how we will prioritise investigations and approach resolving breaches of planning control.

Under the Council’s Constitution, planning functions under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 are delegated to the Executive Director: Place. The LEP provides a framework for the execution of this delegated function. Its approval is a non-key decision as although its use will be applied across the Borough, it doesn’t itself make any decisions however just provides clarity on how enforcement issues will be addressed and identifies targets against which the enforcement service can be monitored.

Alternative options considered

None. The existing LEP does not reflect current statutory enforcement powers and therefore requires updating.