Agenda item

The Planning Policy Lead Officer introduced a report that set out the overall approach that had been taken to develop the Preferred Spatial Strategy for the Local Plan for Slough.

The Spatial Strategy was the first part of the Local Plan and would not itself contain any policies.  It would set out the pattern, scale and quality of development in Slough and it took forward the work carried out for the Issues and Options consultation in 2017.  The most significant change since this time was that it was now assumed there wouldn’t be any expansion of Heathrow Airport in the short to medium term.

The report recommended approval of the following five key elements:

·  Delivering major comprehensive redevelopment within the “Centre of Slough”;

·  Selecting other key locations for appropriate sustainable development;

·  Enhancing our distinct suburbs, vibrant neighbourhood centres and environmental assets;

·  Protecting the “Strategic Gap” between Slough and Greater London;

·  Promoting the cross border expansion of Slough to meet unmet housing needs.

A report would be brought to the next meeting of the Committee with more detail on what was proposed for each of these elements.  At this stage Members were asked to approve the five key elements as the basis for preparing the Spatial Strategy.  The Committee agreed the recommendations and would receive a further report at the next meeting.

Resolved –

(a)  That the five key elements as set out in paragraph 5.24 of the report be agreed as the basis for the preparation of the preferred Spatial Strategy for the Slough Local Plan.

(b)  That a report setting out the proposed detailed content of the preferred Spatial Strategy be brought back to this Committee for consideration.