Emerging local plan for Slough - reports to committee

Progress on the creation of a new Local Plan is reported to the elected councillors through the Planning Committee.
If you wish to read more about the progress of the creation of the Emerging Local Plan, you can view the updates presented at Planning Committee meetings below.

Report Title: Proposed spatial options for the review of the Local Plan (November 2016)

Resolution: To note the report.

The purpose of the report was to explain what the contents of the proposed Local Plan Issues and Options Consultation document are and set out its key policies. It explains that this is not a draft plan, but a discussion document which is being put forward for public consultation.

The report set out what the overall themes of the Local Plan are and what the key policy responses could be.
It set out an aspirational vision for Slough which emphasised the need for developing Slough as a place where people want to stay. It also sets out the objectives for the plan which are intended to help develop the vision.

The report detailed the strategic ‘Spatial Options’ for the Review of the Local Plan that have been designed in response to these strategic issues. It noted that they are not yet fully worked out, but are considered meaningful options that can be used for public consultation.

Report Title: Review of the Local Plan for Slough (October 2016)

Resolution: To note the report.

The purpose of the report was to provide an update on the proposed Spatial Options for the Review of the Local Plan which could be included in the Issues & Options consultation document.

The report set out more detail about the proposed Spatial Options designed to address what the key issues are considered to be for the review of the Local Plan.

The report sets out the critical issues of how much growth the plan is going to provide for given the shortage of land for development, the problem of congestion, and potential impact of development upon the quality of the environment.

The report notes that options that involve building in other districts would have to be progressed through the ‘Duty to Cooperate’ process as they cannot be delivered through the Review of the Slough Local Plan. The document shows areas of search outside the Borough so that the implications of pursuing such options can be considered in the review of the plan.

Report Title: Update on issues and options (September 2016)

Resolution: To note the report.

The purpose of the report was to provide an update on the work that has being taking place to develop the “Issues and Options” report for the Review of the Local Plan and seek Member’s views on the emerging ideas .

This report sets out the initial the ideas as to what the “Issues and Options” could be for the Review of the Local Plan. It shows that there are a number of possible ways in which the growth of the town could be planned over the next twenty years but also identifies the potential constraints that would have to be overcome.

Consideration needs to be given as to how these “Issues and Options” can be developed so that they can be put out for public consultation in January 2017.

Report Title: Proposed representations on adjoining local plans (August 2016)

Resolution: To note the report.

The purpose of the report was to update Members on the work that has being taking place with adjoining authorities under the Duty to Cooperate and to seek views on Local Plans that are currently out for public consultation.

It also provided an update on the joint working that has been taking place to agree a “Vision” for the Heathrow sub-region which would apply whether or not it is decided that the third runway should go ahead.

The Committee resolved that:

• Progress on ongoing Duty To Cooperate meetings with adjoining Boroughs be noted
• Comments set out in paragraph 5.23 can be forwarded as a response to the current consultation on the Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan
• The work of the Heathrow Strategic Planning Group be noted.

April 2016

The Committee is requested to resolve that the progress on the Review of the Local Plan for Slough be noted.

February 2016

• South Bucks and Chiltern be thanked for consulting the Council on the new Joint Local Plan for South Bucks and Chiltern Districts.
• The Councils should be formally requested to consider the scope in the new Joint Local Plan for an urban extension of Slough in the form of a new ‘Garden Suburb’ which will help to meet the housing needs within the area.
• The detailed comments set out in paragraphs 5.21- 5.45 of the report be agreed and forwarded to South Bucks and Chiltern Districts in response to the Consultation.
• Delegated powers be granted to the Planning Manager to make further detailed comments on the technical matters within the consultation document and supporting evidence base.
• The Council would welcome the opportunity to continue to discuss planning matters in accordance with the Duty To Co-operate.
• That the note presented on the amendment sheet also be forwarded to South Bucks and Chiltern.

January 2016

• The Housing Trajectory for Slough which will be used to determine the five year land supply be noted.
• The possible delay in the timetable for the Review of the Local Plan as a result of the Government not making a decision about the proposal for a third runway at Heathrow be noted.

November 2015

• The results of the Strategic Housing Market Assessment, which includes an “objectively assessed” housing need figure for Slough, be noted.
• Slough’s housing target be increased from 315 dwellings a year to 550 dwellings a year for a five year period in line with the Council’s Five Year Plan.
• The Council should continue to work with the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead and South Bucks District Council to consider how new housing could be distributed within the Housing Market Area.
• The proposed timetable for the Review of the Local Plan for Slough be noted.

February 2015

• The Council formally agrees to carry out a Review of the Local Plan for Slough.
• The Council notify interested parties of the intention to review the Local Plan.
• The Council prepare a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI).
• The Council prepare a Local Development Scheme (LDS) to set out the timetable for review.