A working list of documents, data sources and references used in research on this site. No opinions, just links. If you find something missing or broken, please get in touch.
Note on policy numbering: examination-era documents refer to the North East Thatcham allocation as Policy SP17. The adopted Local Plan calls it Policy SP14. Most linked examination documents use the old SP17 number.
Planning Policy and Adopted Documents
| Document |
Notes |
Link |
| Policy SP14 - North East Thatcham |
The adopted Local Plan policy for the site |
westberks.gov.uk |
| West Berkshire Local Plan Review 2023-2041 |
Full adopted Local Plan |
westberks.gov.uk |
| Inspector’s Report (William Fieldhouse, April 2025) |
Report that increased allocation from 1,500 to 2,500 homes |
westberks.gov.uk |
| Main Modifications Schedule (November 2024) |
Includes the 35 DPH minimum net density requirement for Thatcham and other main urban areas in West Berkshire (Newbury, Tilehurst, Purley on Thames and Calcot) |
bucklebury-pc.gov.uk |
| Thatcham Medical Practice examination submission |
States proposed satellite surgery is not financially viable and cannot meet GMS contract requirements |
westberks.gov.uk |
| WBC/Network Rail Statement of Common Ground (March 2024) |
Confirms development will increase pressure on Thatcham level crossing; Network Rail supports a bridge. Referenced as EXAM18 in the examination record. |
localplanservices.co.uk |
| Lichfields outline masterplan for NE Thatcham Partnership (March 2024) |
Developer’s own outline masterplan submitted to examination; starts at PDF page 161 |
localplanservices.co.uk |
Council-Commissioned Evidence
| Document |
Notes |
Link |
| Iceni Visioning Report (March 2022) |
Council-commissioned socio-economic baseline; Thatcham office market vs Newbury; commuting patterns |
westberks.gov.uk |
| LTP4 Evidence Base (WSP, January 2023) |
Transport evidence base; commuting data; employment density mapping |
westberks.gov.uk |
| West Berkshire Strategic Transport Model (WSP, March 2022) |
Council’s own transport model; finds 15-minute bus to station reduces car use by only 2.5% |
westberks.gov.uk |
| Employment Land Review Addendum (Stantec, 2022) |
Office and industrial vacancy rates for West Berkshire |
westberks.gov.uk |
| WBC Historic Environment Character Zone |
Thatcham-Woolhampton corridor; A4 as ancient coaching route |
westberks.gov.uk |
Rail and Transport
| Document |
Notes |
Link |
| ORR GWR Key Statistics 2024/25 |
On Time 61.5%; Cancellations 4.6% |
orr.gov.uk |
| ORR GWR Key Statistics 2023/24 |
1,196,231 Network Rail delay minutes (revised ORR figure) |
orr.gov.uk |
| ORR National Rail Performance |
National PPM and cancellation rate context |
orr.gov.uk |
| ORR Station Usage Data |
Annual station entries and exits |
orr.gov.uk |
| RailwayData - Thatcham Station |
Station usage; top destinations |
railwaydata.co.uk |
| Bedwyn Trains Passenger Group (BTPG) |
Detailed records of all Berks and Hants line closures |
steve09478.wixsite.com/btpg |
| New Civil Engineer - NR investigation (January 2024) |
Reports ORR pressure on Network Rail Wales and Western following sustained disruption on routes including Berks and Hants |
newcivilengineer.com |
| DfT West Berkshire road traffic data |
A4 traffic count points |
roadtraffic.dft.gov.uk |
| Berkshire Live - 33-mile A4 diversion |
Confirms there is no short alternative when A4 at Woolhampton closes |
getreading.co.uk |
| Thatcham Town Council LTP4 response |
A4 as pedestrian barrier; HGV volumes; level crossing delays |
thatchamtowncouncil.gov.uk |
| Manual for Streets (DfT/DCLG, 2007) |
Government guidance on street design; pedestrian-first hierarchy |
gov.uk |
| LTN 1/20 cycle infrastructure design |
National cycle infrastructure standard |
gov.uk |
Housing, Design and Planning Standards
| Document |
Notes |
Link |
| Nationally Described Space Standards (NDSS) |
Minimum internal floor areas for new dwellings |
gov.uk |
| Future Homes Standard |
Requirements including no gas boilers and high energy efficiency; mandatory from 2027 |
gov.uk |
| Passivhaus Trust - Goldsmith Street |
Norwich Passivhaus council housing; 2019 Stirling Prize winner |
passivhaustrust.org.uk |
| Goldsmith Street - Dezeen coverage |
Design and delivery of award-winning affordable housing at scale |
dezeen.com |
| Marmalade Lane, Cambridge |
High-density cohousing with generous shared green space |
wearetown.co.uk |
| Trees and Design Action Group (TDAG) |
Guidance on trees in new developments; canopy cover targets |
tdag.org.uk |
| Planning Practice Guidance - Effective use of land |
Government guidance on housing density |
gov.uk |
| What is an SPD? (Designing Buildings) |
Plain-English explanation of Supplementary Planning Documents |
designingbuildings.co.uk |
| S106 agreements explained |
Legal framework for planning obligations |
gov.uk |
| Cranbrook, Devon - bus provision precedent |
Buses operational before first residents; frequency written into S106 |
eastdevon.gov.uk |
Local Sources and Campaign Documents
| Document |
Notes |
Link |
| Bucklebury Parish Council - NE Thatcham campaign |
Campaign documents; legal analysis; healthcare evidence |
bucklebury-pc.gov.uk |
| North East Thatcham masterplan consultation |
Official consultation website |
nethatcham.co.uk |
| West Berkshire Council early-stage consultation page |
Formal consultation process and deadline information |
westberks.gov.uk |
| OS Open UPRN dataset |
Address location data used in density analysis |
ordnancesurvey.co.uk |
| Newbury Today - developers to pay for consultation (March 2026) |
Reports that DevComms is funded by the developers |
newburytoday.co.uk |
| Kennet School admission consultation |
Consulting on reducing intake from 300 to 270 from 2027 |
kennetschool.co.uk |
Environmental and Ecology
| Document |
Notes |
Link |
| BBOWT (Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust) |
Relevant to ancient woodland, biodiversity net gain and ecological surveys |
bbowt.org.uk |
| Woodland Trust |
Ancient woodland protection; legal standing to object |
woodlandtrust.org.uk |
| Friends of the Earth - green space data |
NHS saves £100m+/year from access to green space |
friendsoftheearth.uk |
| Natural England standing advice on ancient woodland buffers |
15m minimum; may need to be exceeded depending on site |
gov.uk |
Last updated: 13 May 2026. Links checked at time of publication but may change. If you find a broken link or a missing source, please get in touch.
