Agenda item

Paul Stimpson, Planning Policy Lead Officer, outlined a report seeking the Committee’s approval to begin the process of reviewing  the Local Plan for Slough.

Members were reminded that the Core Strategy for Slough, which was adopted in 2008, covered  the period up to 2026. The Site Allocations Document was adopted in 2010 but other elements of Slough’s Development Plan such as the ‘saved’ policies of the Local Plan, the Minerals Plan and the Waste Plan were much older.

  The ‘self assessment’ exercise carried out in 2013 indicated that the policies in the various plans were still compliant with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and were performing well and it was highlighted that an excess of a 15 year supply of housing land remained.

  The NPPF came into force in 2012 and it was now necessary begin a review the Local Plan so that it did not become out of date.  The Committee noted that the Council’s Five Year Plan was approved at Cabinet in January 2015 and this set out a vision for the Borough against which the Council would prioritise its resources.  The Plan set out  a number of key outcomes and to achieve these planning policies would be developed which would deliver more high value business properties to meet modern needs. Also, an average of 550 new homes would be built each year over the 5 year period compared to the current target of 315.

It was suggested that the Local Plan should cover the twenty year period from 2015 to 2035.  The Committee noted the impact of uncertainty around the future of Heathrow and the time table for the review of the Local Plan would have to be sufficiently flexible to take account of the decision around its future.

The Committee noted that all Council’s in Berkshire would together commission a strategic housing market assessment which would decide what objectively assessed housing need was for each authority (results available in summer 2015). 

Members noted the progress that adjoining authorities were making in preparing their plans.  It appeared sensible to begin to review the Local Plan for Slough in parallel with adjoining authorities so that issues could be addressed in a co-ordinated way and all parties could fulfil their obligations to comply with the Duty to Cooperate.  This would also provide greater scope for joint working.

Members noted the need to produce a Centre of Slough Strategy by the autumn and this could be taken forward as a key input into the Review of the Local Plan.  A number of key factors affected the timing of the review of the Local Plan for Slough and it is was not possible to specify when all of the stages will be completed within the time frame.

It would be necessary to produce and publish a Local Development Scheme setting out a time table for the plan and a Statement of Community Involvement which would discuss engagement with interested parties.

The Committee considered the report and:

Resolved- 

(a)  That the Council formally agree to carry out a Review of the Local Plan for Slough.

(b) That all interested parties be notified of the intention to review the Local Plan. 

(c)  That the Council prepare a Statement of Community Involvement.

(d)  That the Council prepares a Local Development Scheme which will set out the time table for the preparation of the Review of the Local Plan for Slough.