Agenda item

The Head of Planning Policy & Projects, outlined a report setting out the detail of the Deposit Draft of the Slough Trading Estate Simplified Planning Zone (SPZ).  The Committee was requested to approve the publication of the scheme for  public consultation.

The Committee was reminded that Slough Trading Estate was one of the few areas in the country to take advantage of the SPZ; the first SPZ for the Estate ran from 1994 to 2004 and the second one would expire in November 2014.  The Officer explained that an SPZ granted planning permission in advance for specified types of development within defined areas and on the Slough Trading Estate the permitted uses included industrial units, warehouses and data centres. Certain inappropriate uses such as major retail development were not permitted under the SPZ and developers were required to apply for  planning permission in the usual way.

The Officer advised that in September 2012, the Committee had approved the preparation of a new SPZ Scheme for the Slough Trading Estate to replace the SPZ that expired in November 2014.  The Committee noted the negotiations that had taken place with SEGRO and the detail of the initial  consultation.  It was proposed that further consultation would be held over a six week period at the beginning of 2014 after which time the Committee would consider the SPZ prior to consideration by Cabinet.

  The Committee noted the purpose of the SPZ, the format, and key elements that had been retained and the key aspects that would be delivered as set out in the report. 

Members asked a number of questions in the ensuing debate and it was confirmed that there was no specific provision for cycle lanes in the scheme. The boundary of the site was also discussed and measures agreed to move the zoned area. 

Resolved-

(a)  That the content of the SPZ be agreed subject to any minor amendments which may be delegated to the Strategic Lead Planning Policy.

(b)  That following the Committee’s discussion on the site boundary, it was agreed to move the zoned area where buildings over 16 metres in height are allowed to be built, to the rear of the offices on the Bath Road.

(c)  That the Deposit Draft of the new Slough Trading Estate Simplified Planning Zone Scheme be published for public consultation.

(d)  That the Committee places on record its thanks to Officers for their contribution to the SPZ.