Slough’s New Local Plan
Slough Borough Council is preparing a new Local Plan, which will guide how the borough develops over the next 20 years.
What is the Local Plan?
The Local Plan sets out:
- where new homes and businesses should be built
- how development will meet the needs of the local community and a growing population
- how the environment and green spaces will be protected.
Once adopted, the new Local Plan will replace the current planning documents, including:
- the existing core strategy
- site allocations
- saved local plan policies.
Why is a new plan being prepared?
In December 2025, the Council confirmed to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) that the new Local Plan will be prepared under the new national planning system, rather than the older (legacy) system.
This reflects:
- changes introduced by the Government’s Planning and Infrastructure Act
- the intention to consult on the Airport National Policy Statement for Heathrow expansion.
The expansion proposals submitted by Heathrow Airport Limited to PINS include development in parts of Slough’s Green Belt and new highway works in the east of the borough. Because of this the existing Regulation 18 Spatial Strategy (2020) now needs to be updated.
Key dates and progress
- Call for Sites completed: May 2025
- Updated Statement of Community Involvement adopted: November 2025
- Initial Local Plan timetable to be published: June 2026
- Updated timetable to be published: October 2026
Evidence and research
Work continues on the plan evidence base including:
- a Joint Green Belt Review
- a Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA)
- health infrastructure research.
This work will still be relevant under the new planning system.
Updates will be reported to the Planning Committee or Cabinet in line with legislation and published guidance.
Stay informed
The best way to keep up to date with the new Local Plan and future consultations is to join our consultation database. Please email planningpolicy@slough.gov.uk to be added.