WARFIELD PARISH PLAN
1.1 Warfield is a semi-rural Parish, made up of 13 settlements (Hayley Green, Warfield Street, Jealotts Hill, Moss End, Newell Green, Nuptown, Warfield Park, West End, Hawthorn Hill, Brockhill, Whitegrove, Quelm Park and Lawrence Hill).
1.2 The northern part of the Parish is within the Green Belt. There is a substantial area of open rural countryside north of the new settlement areas.
1.3 Warfield was originally a Saxon settlement and is recorded in the Domesday Book. The village was on a main route from the West Country to London and as such prospered with the various small hamlets clustered around the church.
1.4 Today the centre of the Parish, such as it is, has moved away from the church. The population now spreads from the new developments in the south of the Parish to the rural area of Nuptown.
1.5 The population of the Parish in 1991 was 1794. It is estimated that this will be 8550 by the end of 2006.
1.6 In preparing this Plan, Warfield Parish Council sought to have its views included in the Bracknell Forest Borough Local Plan published in 2000 for the period to 2006.
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2.1 Warfield Parish Council has taken the Parish Plan approach to set out its vision of the Parish to the year 2006 with the following aims:-
2.1.1 To establish a coherent policy covering all matters on which Bracknell Forest Borough Council seek the views of the Parish Council.
2.1.2 To provide a guide to future generations of Councillors by setting out current policies and aims in a formal document.
2.1.3 To ensure the Plan is available to all parishioners and special interest groups as a guide to council policy.
2.1.4 To provide policies for a wider spectrum of requirements as the identity of the Parish has changed to encompass a broader based community.
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3.1 Warfield Parish Council policy is to encourage the expansion of leisure activities, where such expansion does not conflict with the rural or built environment, and in so doing, take into account the needs of existing and new residents.
FOOTPATHS
3.2 Within the Parish boundaries there is a network of footpaths. Running through the Parish is a section of the Ramblers Route. Bracknell Forest Borough Council publish a leaflet which sets out the route of this walk together with some small circular walks of which one is in the Hogoak area of Nuptown. Wellers Lane car park provides a centre for walkers to explore Warfield, Winkfield and Binfield.
Policies
3.3 Warfield Parish Council will continue to monitor all footpaths to ensure that they are efficiently managed and maintained to a high standard. A financial contribution will continue to be made (if required), to Bracknell Forest Borough Council to assist with maintenance work. Any proposed changes to routing will be considered and passed to the appropriate authorities.
3.4 With the co-operation or agreement of landowners, Warfield Parish Council will identify and support the development of new footpaths so as to enhance these amenities, particularly in the newly developed areas, and to improve and extend existing routes.
3.5 Warfield Parish Council supports the Bracknell Forest Borough Council proposals for a riverside walk to be developed alongside the Bullbrook and the Lamb Brook (The Cut). The concerns of those living adjacent to, or owning land that may be affected will be considered.
3.6 Warfield Parish Council will encourage the protection of footpaths for walkers and will continue to try to prevent damage to the footpaths by horses in particular. However, if the paths have suitable surfaces and widths, dual use may be beneficial and this may be encouraged.
3.7 Warfield Parish Council supports the principle of dual use of footways for cyclists and pedestrians.
3.8 Warfield Parish Council are committed to the development of a village green and will continue to negotiate with Bracknell Forest Borough Council and landowners.
GREEN LANES and BRIDLEWAYS
3.9 Within the Parish there are a number of green lanes and bridleways including part of the Binfield Bridleway Circuit.
Policies
3.10 Warfield Parish Council will encourage the maintenance and expansion of the network of bridleways and byways within the Parish. The maintenance of the surfaces will be encouraged to allow use by both walkers and riders.
3.11 Warfield Parish Council will encourage any proposals that would create a complete bridleway circuit of a more comprehensive nature than existing routes.
3.12 Warfield Parish Council will either seek to discourage off-road traffic on byways by the use of seasonal Traffic Regulation Orders or seek to make the surface suitable for such traffic.
SPORTING FACILITIES
3.13 At Westmorland Park in Whitegrove there are two football pitches, three tennis courts and a pavilion. During the summer, this site has been used by Bracknell Baseball Club.
3.14 At Newell Green is the Memorial Ground. This was donated to the Parish in memory of those who died while serving their country. There is a children's playground, cricket pitch, football pitch and a pavilion. It is also used for the annual fete, dog shows and various other village activities.
Policies
3.15 Warfield Parish Council will encourage by all available means the use and development of all existing sporting facilities within the Parish and will continue financial support for the Memorial Ground. The Parish Council will welcome approaches from interested groups, particularly from within the Parish, wishing to start sporting clubs.
3.16 Warfield Parish Council will encourage the improvement and development of water facilities for fishing.
3.17 Warfield Parish Council will not support floodlights where they would prejudice the open, rural and undeveloped character of the surrounding land, or have an adverse impact on the amenity of nearby properties. Warfield Parish Council will discourage moto-cross or similar activities within the Parish.
3.18 Warfield Parish Council will support the installation of benches where and when a need is identified.
OUTDOOR LEISURE ACTIVITIES
3.19 Warfield Parish Council will encourage the maintenance of all existing woodland, hedgerows and nature reserves. Hayley Green Wood and the adjacent area in Winkfield has been designated a Countryside Park in the Borough Local Plan.
3.20 Lark's Hill Open Space has been laid out as an area of informal natural countryside and a community orchard. Dog free zones have been included.
3.21 Warfield Parish Council will welcome an approach from any party interested in setting up an activity centre within the Parish, providing that this can be done within planning guidelines.
3.22 Warfield Parish Council will undertake to manage and improve the Memorial Ground play area and others as they are provided. The Parish Council will seek to make all of the play areas dog free zones.
3.23 Warfield Parish Council will maintain and develop a rural car park at Wellers Lane for use by walkers.
INDOOR FACILITIES
3.24 The Brownlow Hall is used as a meeting place for various clubs, for badminton, theatrical productions, and receptions of both a private and a fund-raising nature. The Parish Council has a twenty five year lease to manage and improve this facility.
3.25 Within Warfield Park there is a residents community centre.
3.26 Adjacent to the Tesco complex is a Youth and Community Centre and library.
Policies
3.27 Warfield Parish Council will work to encourage the use of all community facilities as bases for all village activities.
3.28 Warfield Parish Council will work to modernise the Brownlow Hall to encourage greater use of the Hall.
3.29 Warfield Parish Council will support the residents of Warfield Park to ensure that community facilities provide for as many of their needs as possible.
3.30 Being aware of the needs of the young population for a centre for themselves, Warfield Parish Council will encourage the Borough and other interested parties to establish youth centres and a multi-user games areas, and will welcome initiatives from any groups with an interest in such projects.
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4.1 Within the Parish there are a number of A and B class roads together with many lanes and byways. The Northern Distributor Road has been built running east/west through the southern part of the Parish to provide an improved infrastructure for the increased number of residents, and to keep as much traffic as possible away from the smaller roads.
Policies
4.2 Warfield Parish Council will support any measure which will encourage the use of the Northern Distributor Road in preference to other local roads. It will also work to encourage the construction of its spur to Bott Bridge (The Three Legged Cross).
4.3 Warfield Parish Council will work to discourage traffic using the smaller, rural roads in the Parish.
4.4 Warfield Parish Council is opposed to any form of urbanisation of non-classified roads. It is determined to maintain the rural nature of all lanes and byways within the Parish.
4.5 Warfield Parish Council will encourage the continued provision and maintenance of grass verges sufficiently wide for walking and where appropriate for riding.
4.6 Warfield Parish Council supports the extension of weight limits on all roads within the Parish and will press the appropriate authorities for the introduction of these to ensure that heavy goods vehicles in particular, use only the Northern Distributor Road.
4.7 Warfield Parish Council will support the introduction of traffic calming measures or speed limits where they are considered appropriate.
4.8 Warfield Parish Council will encourage the introduction of restrictions to ensure vehicles are not parked on the public highways adjacent to Tesco.
4.9 Warfield Parish Council will discourage the introduction of street lighting except where it is necessary in areas of dense housing, or where it is a legal requirement.
4.10 Warfield Parish Council will continue to monitor ditches and verges and take appropriate action, where necessary, to ensure they are kept free of litter.
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5. HOUSING, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
5.1 Bracknell Forest Borough Council is the Local Planning Authority. Warfield Parish Council may comment on all planning applications within the Parish. Comments are passed to Bracknell Forest Borough Council who determine the applications.
5.2 Warfield is predominately a rural Parish, with one major housing development along the southern border. As such, Parish Council policies are focused on protecting the strategic green gap, the designated countryside areas, the Green Belt and the existing amenity value of the properties and land in the area.
5.3 Despite the recent expansion of housing, it is one of the prime objectives of the Parish Council to maintain Warfield's village-like qualities. With this objective in mind Warfield Parish Council will do its utmost to ensure the highest quality and the most appropriate distribution of any future development.
5.4 Planning legislation and Planning Policy Guidance is set nationally and published by Central Government and the Department of the Environment Transport and the Regions respectively, and implemented at a local level via the Berkshire Structure Plan and the Borough Local Plan. Warfield Parish Council works with the Planning Officers and Councillors at Bracknell Forest Borough Council to ensure continuing consistency when applying current regulations and policies.
5.5 Warfield Parish Council will continue to make submissions to the appropriate authority with regard to any consultation documents it considers will have an effect on Warfield.
THE FUTURE
5.6 Until the outcome of any appeals against the County Structure Plan and Bracknell Forest Borough Council Local Plan are known, it is difficult to assess what further development may come to Warfield.
PLANNING POLICIES
5.7 Warfield Parish Council will seek to ensure that all development conforms with the Parish Plan.
5.8 Warfield Parish Council propose the creation of a central focal point for the village by the establishment of a managed open green area south of Warfield Street and east of Newell Green. This land would be made available for a range of village sport and recreational activities.
5.9 Warfield Parish Council will argue against all development which threatens the integrity of green gaps, particularly in the south of the village.
5.10 Warfield Parish Council will oppose, subject to Planning Policy Guidelines, any new development outside defined settlement areas, in the Green Belt or the countryside.
5.11 When asked to comment on planning applications, Warfield Parish Council will, subject to Planning Policy Guidance, consider proposals for new agricultural enterprises to ensure that they are commercially viable and appropriate to the rural environment. If this can be demonstrated a temporary planning permission for up to five years may be supported. Only after this period might full permission be considered.
5.12 Warfield Parish Council will normally support development of existing properties within defined settlement areas. Such developments are evaluated on the basis of their appearance, size, scale and character. In addition, consistency with existing fabric (roof tiles, facing bricks etc.) and impact on adjoining properties will also be considered. Flat roof extensions are normally discouraged as out of keeping with a rural environment. Extensions are evaluated against the size of plot and as a percentage of the original building size so as to prevent over-development of the site.
5.13 Larger developments are normally restricted to sites within settlement boundaries. Warfield Parish Council examine applications in terms of housing density, varieties of design, appearance, site layout, access and public open spaces. In-filling within settlements is normally acceptable within these parameters, but extensions of settlement boundaries are normally contested.
5.14 Applications for change of use of agricultural buildings which fall within Planning Policy Guidance are viewed sympathetically. When evaluating this type of application means of access and traffic levels are important considerations.
POLICY ENFORCEMENT
5.15 Warfield Parish Council work hard to protect the environment of the Parish from the impact of development. Where contravention of policy is observed or reported, the breach will be discussed with Bracknell Forest Borough Council and the statutory enforcement powers requested where appropriate. Such powers are exercised by Bracknell Forest Borough Council.
HOUSING PROPOSALS
5.16 Warfield Parish Council will review the existing settlement envelopes in order to assess the extent to which infill development might be acceptable and may lead to less pressure for development on green field sites.
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6. INDUSTRY, EMPLOYMENT AND ENVIRONMENT
6.1 Within the Parish there is some existing industry. The largest employer is Zeneca Agrochemicals, a major international company, whose site at Jealotts Hill employs approximately 1000 people. Other businesses within the Parish include Warfield Garage, Warfield Bakery, several livery stables, farms, small holdings and a number of light industries.
INDUSTRY
Policies
6.2 Warfield Parish Council will encourage the establishment of cottage industries where this can be done on appropriate sites and within Government Planning Policy Guidance (PPG).
6.3 Warfield Parish Council will encourage all forms of commerce that will provide employment to parishioners, providing this can be done within Green Belt policy, countryside and other planning guidelines, and is situated on sites with suitable access.
6.4 Warfield Parish Council will review areas within the parish that may be suitable for consideration as potential sites for some limited, strictly controlled, industrial units. Any consideration will be viewed with respect to the relevant PPG's and local Development Plans.
ENVIRONMENT
6.6 Warfield Parish Council will seek to support where appropriate the Borough Council's environmental objectives.
6.7 Warfield Parish Council will take appropriate action when illegal dumping is notified.
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7.1 Within the Parish there is a large Tesco store, dry cleaners, estate agent and cash dispenser at County Lane, a garden centre and two farm produce shops.
Policy
7.2 Warfield Parish Council will actively discourage any proposals for further large scale retail developments within the Parish.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
7.3 There are a number of bus services which stop within the Parish. These include services to Warfield Park, Tesco, Heathrow Airport, Victoria Station, Wexham Park Hospital and Legoland. There is also a Bracknell to Maidenhead service which stops at Moss End and Jealotts Hill.
Policies
7.4 Warfield Parish Council will strongly object to any further reductions to the rail services available to the Parish from stations at Bracknell town centre, Martins Heron and Ascot.
7.5 Warfield Parish Council will strongly object to any reductions in the bus services available to and from the Parish.
7.6 Warfield Parish Council will continue to support Bracknell Forest Borough Council to continue to allow free or concessionary travel for pensioners and the disabled on buses and taxis.
DOOR TO DOOR DELIVERIES
7.7 There is a regular milk delivery service from Unigate and two greengrocery rounds. Post is delivered from Bracknell twice a day.
Policy
7.8 Warfield Parish Council will encourage door to door delivery services and will endeavour to ensure continuation of the milk delivery round.
PARISH FACILITIES
7.9 The Parish Office is open from 9.30 to 12.30 on Monday to Thursday. The Clerk will welcome a phone call or visit from any parishioner who may have a query.
7.10 Within the Parish there are six notice boards on which Parish notices are displayed. They are situated at Tesco store, The New Leathern Bottle, Church Lane, Forest Road, Hayley Green, Warfield Park and Quelm Park.
7.11 Warfield Parish Council will encourage the production of an information for all residents of the Parish.
7.12 The Parish Pump is a magazine published every second month containing articles about the Parish and lists forthcoming events.
7.13 The Wren of Warfield, the newsletter, from Warfield Parish Council is published three times a year and delivered to every home in the Parish.
7.14 There are three churches within the Parish; the historic Parish church of Saint Michael The Archangel situated in Church Lane and the new Church of All Saints which meets at the Church of England Primary School, All Saints Rise and the Whitegrove Youth and Community Centre. All are licensed for Anglican worship.
7.15 There is a doctors' surgery, library and youth and community centre situated adjacent to the Tesco store.
7.16 The mobile library stops at two locations in the Parish, Hayley Green and Warfield Park.
Policy
7.17 Warfield Parish Council will communicate with all parishioners, through the Warfield Wren, Parish notice boards, Parish Assembly held annually in April, and press releases in the local press.
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8.1 Within the Parish there are two Local Education Authority schools: Warfield Church of England Primary and Whitegrove Primary. Meadowbrook Montessori Farm School is situated at Wane Bridge providing private education for children aged 3-12.
8.2 There are a number of privately run nursery schools within the Parish.
8.3 Whilst Warfield Parish Council has no responsibility for education within the Parish, it can propose a Governor representative for approval by the Governing Body of each Local education Authority. The Parish Council will act as a focus for views of parishioners on education matters, and will seek to bring these views to the attention of the appropriate authorities.
8.4 The policy of Warfield Parish Council is to support public and private provision of education within the Parish and locally, where such provision does not conflict with the built or rural environment.
Policies
8.5 Warfield Parish Council will encourage the private provision of nursery education for children below five years, using existing and new facilities.
8.6 Warfield Parish Council will support the Local Education Authority in ensuring sufficient primary education places are available for children within the Parish.
8.7 Warfield Parish Council will support the provision of private primary education.
8.8 Warfield Parish Council do not anticipate provision of secondary education within the Parish whilst the number of dwellings remains below 5000. This may be reviewed if the number of homes rises significantly above that threshold.
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9. WELFARE AND OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICES
9.1 Provision for community care is currently provided by Bracknell Forest Borough Council. Warfield parishioners contribution to welfare costs is indirectly through the council tax. The Parish Council does not currently manage any formal schemes but contribute financially to specific welfare group activities either on request or by making annual donations. The Parish Council is represented on Bracknell Forest Borough Council liaison groups where community service matters are discussed and strategy determined.
Policies
9.2 Warfield Parish Council will encourage and support local community efforts to provide any special needs for senior citizens and the disabled.
9.3 Warfield Parish Council will encourage the provision of hard surface paths wide enough for wheelchairs with dropped kerbs and disabled parking facilities where appropriate.
9.4 Warfield Parish Council will continue to encourage and support group activities such as Parent & Toddler, Under Fives, Guides and Brownies, and any other group functioning as a Parish amenity.
9.5 Warfield Parish Council will encourage the continued expansion of neighbourhood watch or other similar schemes.
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10.1 Warfield Parish Council raises funds through an annual precept. This is a sum added to the council tax. Warfield Parish Council determines its budget in January and payment is made to the parish council half yearly by Bracknell Forest Borough Council.
10.2 The precept must cover all the activities of the council mentioned in this document together with discretionary awards to such groups as the Guides and Brownies, Pre-school group, the Memorial Ground, the Parish Church (for upkeep of the closed churchyard), Warfield Community Facilities Charity and many others.
10.3 The precept may vary each year depending on the financial requirements to be met by the Parish.