Agenda item

The Strategic Lead, Planning Policy, introduced a report, the purpose of which was to seek Members comments on the preferred option for the Windsor and Maidenhead Local Plan with particular reference to the likely impact of the proposed polices upon Slough.

The Officer stressed that the RBWM had made considerable progress in producing its preferred option for the new Local Plan for the Borough. Many aspects of the Plan, such as the proposal to release selected sites from the Green Belt to provide housing, were  welcomed. There remained, however, a number of aspects of the proposed strategy which could have implications for Slough. It was considered that objections should be made about the failure of the plan to meet  the required local housing needs and the need for affordable housing in particular. This could result in huge pressure being placed on the availability of rented housing in Slough.  It was also recommended that RBWM be invited to discuss the implications of this for Slough at Member level as part of its Duty to Cooperate.

Members raised a number of issues/ comments in the ensuing debate including:

• There were concerns that Slough’s housing bed and breakfast accommodation was under considerable pressure and this would be exacerbated if the RBWM did not make adequate housing provision.
• A Member expressed the concern that the RBWM affordable housing policy only made provision for buy or part buy housing schemes and it was felt that this was not acceptable.
• It was important that RBWM and Slough BC worked jointly on a park and ride scheme.
• There were concerns that whilst RBWM had acknowledged there was an under supply of housing, there was nothing in their strategy to adequately compensate for this.

Resolved –

(a)  That the comments set out in the report on the Preferred Options for the Windsor & Maidenhead Local Plan be approved and  submitted as this Council’s formal response.

(b)  That the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead be invited to discuss the implications of the Preferred Strategy for Slough as part of it Duty to Cooperate.