Agenda item

That delegated authority be given to the Head of Legal Services, subject to Full Council approval, for a petition to be raised against the Additional Provision in the HS2 Hybrid Bill for the relocation of the Hex Depot to Langley.

The Cabinet received a report providing an update on the proposed relocation of the Heathrow Express depot as a direct consequence of the changes being made to the Old Oak Common site as part of the High Speed 2 (HS2) works.  Commissioners were asked to agree, subject to the approval of full Council, to raise a petition against the Additional Provision of the High Speed 2 Hybrid Bill which would result in the relocation.

Officers reported that discussions had been held with HS2 on the relocation and whilst a number of alternatives had been considered, HS2 had decided that Langley was the only viable option.  The Council had been provided with very limited information on the detailed plans ahead of the depositing of the Additional Provisions and accompanying Environmental Statement in Parliament expected on 13^th July 2015.  Petitions against the proposals were likely to have to be submitted by early to mid August.  Commissioners were very concerned about the likely impacts of the relocation which included increased noise and air pollution, flood risk, additional traffic and the significant loss of housing provision planned for the site.  As a Crossrail hub, there were plans for the site and adjacent areas to develop several hundred homes and businesses, and regeneration opportunities for Langley would be lost if the relocation went ahead.  The depot had negligible direct benefit to Slough and the plans would also have a significant impact on the Council in terms of potential Council Tax and Business Rates revenue.

The detailed grounds for the petition could not be determined until full details were published, and it was therefore proposed and agreed to authorise the necessary delegations to develop and submit a petition, subject to the approval of full Council at its meeting in July.

Recommended –  That delegated authority be given to the Head of Legal Services, subject to Full Council approval, for a petition to be raised against the Additional Provision in the High Speed 2 Hybrid Bill for the relocation of the Heathrow Express Depot to Langley.