Preparing for a new Local Plan
Under the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026, the preparation of a Local Plan begins with a number of early stages, which includes:
- the publication of a notice of intention to commence plan preparation
- a Local Plan timetable and
- a scoping consultation.
These stages form key milestones in the plan-making process, which allows for early engagement and helps to shape the content and direction of the Local Plan ahead of the first Gateway assessment (Gateway 1).
We have set out further details on each of these ‘getting ready’ milestones as well as how you can get involved.
Notice of Intention to commence Local Plan preparation
The council has made available a Notice of Intention to commence Local Plan preparation in accordance with Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026.
Timetable
A timetable for the Local Plan has been prepared in line with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026. This sets out the key stages and anticipated timescales for preparing the Slough Borough Council Local Plan 2026-2046.
Scoping Consultation
The scoping consultation offers suggestions on what we could include in the Local Plan and how we will approach future Local Plan engagement. This consultation is an opportunity for all those with an interest in how Slough will develop and look in the future to have their say.
The consultation also includes a call for sites, which forms part of the scoping consultation and invites landowners, developers, and individuals to suggest sites for future development and other uses (allocation) within the context of the Slough Local Plan.
In addition, the council is seeking views on its draft Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) methodology, which sets out how potential development sites will be assessed for their suitability, availability and achievability.
The consultation documents will be available on the council’s consultation portal, where you can view the material and submit comments.
Consultation details
The consultation will run from Monday 13 July 2026 and representations must be received by the Council no later than 11:59pm on Monday 24 August 2026.
Further information about the consultation, including the scoping document and background information can be accessed online through the Engagement and Consultation page from Monday 13 July 2026.
Accessibility
We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. Please email planningpolicy@slough.gov.uk if you need information in an alternative format and we will consider your request. Hard copies of the scoping document are also available on request for public inspection at the Slough Borough Council Office, Observatory House, 25 Windsor Road, Slough, SL1 2EL during opening hours.
Next steps
The feedback received will inform the next stage in the plan-making process, which is the Consultation on the Proposed Local Plan Content and Evidence, scheduled in accordance with the timetable for the Local Plan. A summary of responses will also be published.
Please email planningpolicy@slough.gov.uk if you have any questions about the scoping consultation or the Local Plan more generally.
Last updated: 30 June 2026