Agenda item

The Committee considered a report that updated on the proposed timetable for preparing, approving and consulting on the Preferred Spatial Strategy for the Slough Local Plan.

The Planning Policy Lead Officer reminded Members that all local planning authorities needed to adopt an up to date Local Plan by the end of 2023 and Slough had been working on its plan since 2017.  The plan had been unable to progress to the formal stages due to the uncertainty of the proposed third runway at Heathrow airport.  However, it was now considered unlikely that the third runway would come forward in the short to medium term and as a result Slough would progress with the review of the Local Plan.  This would provide an opportunity to promote and shape the future growth of the town and any subsequent reviews could consider airport expansion if required.

The first stage was to agree the Preferred Spatial Strategy which would identify the scale and pattern of development.  An ‘emerging’ spatial strategy was agreed in 2018 and it was intended to put out a Preferred Spatial Strategy for public consultation by the end of the year.  The Committee noted the related work taking place on the Centre of Slough Interim Planning Framework, the Wider Area Growth Study and the Protecting the Suburbs policy document to be considered later in the agenda. The proposed timetable was as follows:

·  29^th July – report to Planning Committee.

·  August – possible special Planning Committee or Member workshop.

·  9^th September – report to Planning Committee.

·  10^th September – report to Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

·  12^th October – approval by Cabinet.

·  2^nd November to 11^th December – six week consultation exercise.

The timescale was tight and any delay may mean the public consultation would be pushed back into early 2021.  Due to the present coronavirus restrictions it was envisaged that consultation would include a strong digital element.  Members asked a number of questions including about the progress of the proposed northern expansion of Slough and an update was provided.  At the conclusion of the discussion the timetable was agreed.

Resolved –  That the proposed timetable for the Local Plan Spatial Strategy consultation be agreed as set out in paragraph 5.15 of the report.