Consultation on Main Modifications to the Local Plan Partial Update (LPPU)
The Local Plan Partial Update was submitted to the Secretary of State on 9 May 2025. Planning Inspector Ms Joanna Gilbert MA (Hons) MTP MRTPI was appointed to undertake an independent examination. Stage 1 hearings were held virtually in November 2025 and Stage 2 hearings were held in the Town Hall in February 2026.
The Inspector has identified a number of main modifications that are needed to make sure the plan is sound and legally compliant. Consequential modifications to the proposals map would also be required. These main modifications and consequential modifications to the proposals map are subject to a six-week period of consultation.
Please note that, at this stage, we are not accepting comments on any parts of the Local Plan other than the main modifications and consequential modifications. Your comments on the main modifications will be provided to the Inspector for her consideration.
Please note that the Council has also produced a schedule of more minor changes which do not alter the policy approach, and which we intend to make to the final version of the LPPU.
Please send comments to the Planning Policy Team at planningpolicy@reading.gov.uk or Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU. You may also complete the survey on this page or complete a hard copy template below.
An optional representation template is attached.
Please ensure all comments are received by 29th October 2026.
Phases
Consultation
Guidance on making representations
Since this consultation forms part of the public examination process, there are some important differences in making representations to previous stages.
Firstly, you should be aware that representations made at this stage will be provided directly to the independent Inspector appointed to examine the plan for her consideration, and will therefore need to be published on the Council’s website. Personal details such as postal and e-mail addresses, phone numbers and signatures will be removed before publication, but contact details will need to be provided to the Inspector so that your representation can be considered.
Secondly, the examination seeks to find out whether the Local Plan Partial Update is sound and legally compliant. Therefore, your representation will need to address whether you think the Local Plan Partial Update as modified passes or fails these tests. More details on these tests are below:
Legal compliance: The Plan should have been prepared in line with all relevant legislation.
Soundness: In order to be sound, a plan must be:
- Positively prepared - the plan should be prepared based on a strategy which seeks to meet objectively assessed development and infrastructure requirements, including unmet requirements from neighbouring authorities where it is reasonable to do so and consistent with achieving sustainable development;
- Justified – the plan should be the most appropriate strategy, when considered against the reasonable alternatives, based on proportionate evidence;
- Effective – the plan should be deliverable over its period and based on effective joint working on cross-boundary strategic priorities; and
Consistent with national policy – the plan should enable the delivery of sustainable development in accordance with the policies in the National Planning Policy Framework.
The Council has provided a form for making representations, which will ensure that the relevant matters are addressed. However, our past experience has been that such forms are not particularly well-used. We will therefore still accept representations made in writing by e-mail or post without using the form, as for other consultations. We do ask that your representations set out the following information for each part of the plan that you wish to comment on:
- The main modification to which your response relates (using the references in the consultation document);
- Whether you consider that the plan, or part of the plan, as proposed to be modified, is legally compliant, sound and complies with the duty to co-operate, and why;
- What further modification you think is necessary to make the plan, or part of the plan, legally compliant and/or sound; and
Whether you wish to be kept informed of the progress of the plan.
More information on the process of public examinations into Local Plans is available by following the link below: Procedure Guide for Local Plan Examinations - GOV.UK