Slough’s New Local Plan (2026)
Slough Borough Council is preparing a new Local Plan which will guide how land is developed over the next 20 years.
The Plan is being prepared under the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026, which introduce a modern and digital-first approach to plan-making.
What the Local Plan will do
The Local Plan is a key planning document for Slough. It will set out policies for how the borough delivers the government’s ambitions for growth through:
- how the borough adapts to climate change (such as, flooding, extreme weather, heat)
- housing targets
- locations for new homes, businesses and infrastructure
- how other development meets the needs of a growing population
- how green spaces and the natural and historic environment are protected.
Once adopted, it will replace the existing Local Development Plan for Slough.
Current stage
The council is preparing for a new Local Plan. The Local Plan timetable lists the key stages of plan-making and how the council will meet the 30 month delivery programme.
Engagement strategy
The council will prepare an engagement strategy to set out how it will engage with the appropriate people and organisations at the right stages of the Local Plan process. This includes:
- organisations the council is required to consult as part of the plan-making process, such as transport, water and wastewater providers, and the Integrated Care Board
- those who are affected by the Local Plan, including residents and businesses within and adjacent to Slough, and the organisations that represent them
- organisations and other bodies operating within or neighbouring the borough.
Information about current, upcoming and past engagement activities can be found on the Engagement and Consultation page.
Updates on the Local Plan will also be reported to Members, as required, in accordance with the council’s governance arrangements.
Existing planning policy and previous plan work
The adopted Local Development Plan for Slough will continue to be used in the determination of planning applications until it is replaced.
Work was previously undertaken to prepare an updated Local Plan under the former plan-making system. However, following the introduction of new national planning reforms, the council has transitioned to preparing the Local Plan under the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026.
In December 2025, the council confirmed to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Planning Inspectorate that the Local Plan would be prepared under the new system.
This change reflects:
- reforms intended to improve the efficiency, clarity and transparency of Local Plan preparation
- the need to respond to wider strategic matters, including proposals associated with Heathrow Airport expansion
The expansion proposals submitted by Heathrow Airport Limited include development affecting parts of Slough’s Green Belt and associated infrastructure works. As a result, earlier plan-making work, including the Regulation 18 Spatial Strategy (2020), requires review and updating.
Information about earlier work is available on the Local Plan preparation pre January 2026 page. Earlier evidence and engagement may be used to inform the preparation of the new Local Plan.
Stay informed
Join our consultation database by emailing planningpolicy@slough.gov.uk and keep up to date with the new Local Plan and future consultation opportunities. You can also request to be notified at key stages of the Local Plan process.
Approved data standard
We have followed the approved data standard to publish information relating to the Slough Local Plan. This helps meet the requirements of the Planning Data (England) Regulations 2026 and makes plan information easier to find, use and understand. The published data will be reviewed and updated as the Local Plan progresses through preparation, examination and adoption.