Agenda item

The Head of Planning Policy & Projects introduced a report setting out the key issues in the ninth Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) and seeking the approval of Members to publish to document on the Council’s website.

Members were informed of the key results from the AMR which were summarised as follows:

• The rate of house building remained low with 182 net additional dwellings complete in Slough during 2012/13.
• This was mainly attributed to the downturn in the economy and general decline in house building rather than a lack of supply of sites.
• However, it was estimated there would be 450 completions in the current year via major housing sites such as Middlegreen, Castleview and Railway Terrace.
• Completions over the first 5 years of the plan period averaged 400 per year, significantly above the required average of 315 per annum.
• The Housing Trajectory showed that Slough had a five, ten and fifteen year supply of housing land required by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
• There was a small net loss of employment floor space in 2012/13.
• The retail vacancy survey showed that there had been an improvement in the position regarding the town centre and that overall vacancy rates in Slough were significantly better than regional and national averages.

The Committee considered a number of issues relating to the report, particularly the key housing trends.  Members commented that the report provided evidence that the policies adopted by the Council in recent years, such as the promotion of family housing outside of the town centre and concentration of flats within it were working.  The Committee thanked officers for the work they had done in shaping the policy framework that was now having a positive impact across the Borough.

Resolved –

(a)  That the Local Development Framework Annual Monitoring Report 2012/13 be approved for publication on the Council’s website.

(b)  That the Council should continue to produce and publish future monitoring reports that are focused upon important local issues as well as meeting statutory requirements.

(c)  That the Council monitor the need to review the development plan for Slough through the Annual Monitoring Report.