Agenda item

Mr Stimpson, Planning Policy Lead Officer, reminded the Committee that as part of the review of the Local Plan for Slough 2013-2036, the Council had produced an Issue and Options Document, which was the subject of public consultation in February 2017. The document recognised that if all of the spatial options proposed were implemented, it would not be possible to accommodate all of slough’s housing and employment needs within the Borough in a sustainable manner.

A number of options were included which explored possible planning expansion sites, one of which involved the northern expansion of Slough into South Bucks, incorporating areas of Burnham to Richings Park. Members were informed that a large number of objections were received from local residents and organisations, many of whom were opposed to the principle of development on land designated as Green Belt.

In order to begin discussions whether this was a realistic option, the Council had commissioned Atkins to produce a high level spatial plan to illustrate how the proposed site could be developed.

Key features of the proposed development were highlighted and included:

·  Creation of a Garden Suburb of up to 10,000 homes in the north east of Slough that would help meet the future housing needs for Slough

·  Housing development would include a mix of tenures and housing types

·  Well connected to jobs, services and leisure activities located in Slough’s town centre and well connected to the surrounding countryside.

·  Implementation of the necessary transport and educational infrastructure to support he community.

It was recognised that the majority of the proposed urban extension was in South Bucks District Council. The Committee were informed that South Bucks and Chiltern District Council were not supportive of the proposals and their comments had been included as a covering note to the report.

Members raised a number of points in the ensuing discussion relating to the site location and the practicalities of the proposed development. Mr Stimpson stated that although Slough could meet its housing needs for the next five years, these proposals were a long term solution. Responding to whether two smaller sites would have been a better alternative to the proposed Garden Suburb, the Committee were informed that the smaller sites within Slough were also likely to be developed and this proposal was aimed at meeting the long term housing needs of the Borough.

It was noted that discussions would now take place with interested parties, which would include a landowner workshop which was scheduled to take place in the near future.

Resolved – That details of the report be noted.