Agenda item

That the adoption of the Simplified Planning Zone Scheme 2014-2024 for the Slough Trading Estate be delegated to the Planning Policy Lead Officer subject to the signing of a Section 106 Legal Agreement.

The Planning Policy Lead Officer introduced a report seeking approval to adopt the Simplified Planning Zone (SPZ) scheme for the Slough Trading Estate for 10 years from November 2014, subject to the signing of a Section 106 legal agreement.

The Trading Estate had had an SPZ in place since 1994 and the current scheme would expire in November 2014.  The SPZ effectively granted planning permission in advance for specified types of development in defined areas and offered the Estate’s owners, SEGRO, the flexibility, certainty and marketability to attract further investment.  Members were informed that Council had been working with SEGRO for some time on the new SPZ and whilst the proposed scheme retained many of the key elements of previous scheme, the renewed SPZ would allow taller buildings to meet the requirements of data centres, R&D facilities and high bay warehouses.  Extensive consultation had been undertaken on the draft SPZ, particularly with statutory consultees, and a number of comments and suggestions had been incorporated.

An updated SPZ Plan illustrating the zones was tabled, which replaced Plan 2 on page 117 of the agenda pack.  This map had been revised following a request from the Planning Committee and extended the width of the Northern Height Controlled zone from 15 to 30 metres which should reduce the visual impact of new development upon neighbouring residential properties.  An amendment to the date of the expiration of the agreement was noted in paragraph 1.5 of the proposed scheme.

The Cabinet considered a number of issues including the Section 106 agreement, the content of which had been agreed with SEGRO, subject to the final drafting of the legal agreement.  This provided for continued financial support for the Hoppa Bus service (or its equivalent), Aspire, improved access to the Burnham station ahead of Crossrail and a number of other measures are detailed in the report.  Members were informed that negotiating a S106 as a package across the SPZ scheme offered advantages compared to negotiating agreements for each individual scheme.  After due consideration, the Cabinet recognised the importance of supporting a thriving Trading Estate for the town’s economy and agreed to delegate adoption of the scheme from 12 November 2014 for 10 years subject to signing the Section 106 legal agreement.

Resolved –  That the adoption of the Simplified Planning Zone Scheme 2014-2024 for the Slough Trading Estate be delegated to the Planning Policy Lead Officer subject to the signing of a Section 106 Legal Agreement.