Full Council to be asked to adopt Royal Borough Local Plan after green light fro

An independent Planning Inspector has given the green light for the Royal Borough to adopt a key planning document guiding and supporting future development, regeneration and investment in the area.

The Borough Local Plan sets out the vision for future development of the Royal Borough up to 2033, including how many new homes are needed, how much space for jobs is required, the best locations for new development and, just as crucially, where development cannot happen.

Shaped over a decade through a series of public consultations, the plan ensures that new housing and other development is well designed and meets local needs, happens in the right places and is supported by suitable infrastructure.

This process also included a full public examination by an independent Government-appointed Planning Inspector, Mrs Louise Phillips. Public consultation took place last summer on the proposed main modifications that she advised were necessary to make the plan sound.

Having considered all responses, Mrs Phillips has today issued her independent report advising the plan is sound (subject to inclusion of main modifications) and therefore capable of adoption. Her report is available on the council website. Full Council will be recommended to formally adopt the plan at an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday 8 February.

Councillor David Coppinger, cabinet member for planning, environmental services and Maidenhead, said: “I am very pleased the independent Planning Inspector has confirmed the plan is sound and capable of adoption by Full Council. I would like to thank everyone who has taken part in shaping this key document over the years.

“A sound plan is vital in delivering the council’s future place-making and climate change ambitions, meeting the growing needs and aspirations of the borough by guiding investment, regeneration, jobs and the right mix of homes in the best locations, including new family homes and affordable housing – all supported by required infrastructure improvements.

“By having a new sound plan identifying the best locations to meet projected housing needs, as required by the Government, the borough is in a stronger position to resist inappropriate and unsupported speculative development elsewhere in the borough, protecting our built and natural heritage.

“Adoption of the plan will mean it has full weight in deciding planning applications, complementing existing planning documents such as the neighbourhood plans. In bringing forward the largest housing sites, there will also be further engagement with the community, in addition to the usual consultation once planning applications are submitted.”