Agenda item

(a)  That the Slough Regeneration Framework as set out in Appendices 1 & 2 be agreed;

(b)  That it be noted that the Slough Regeneration Framework was a corporate vision statement rather than a statutory planning document; and

(c)  That it be noted that the Slough Regeneration Framework will be used to inform the emerging Local Plan Spatial Strategy and policies for the Centre of Slough and at this stage it would enter the public consultation process.

(d)  That the recommendations and comments of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee be noted and that the Cabinet’s response be agreed as follows:

  i.  That the importance of developing a sustainable and reliable transport network to support the regeneration and growth of the town be recognised;

  ii.  That the emerging Transport Strategy be considered by the appropriate scrutiny committee or panel before being brought to Cabinet for decision in late 2020 or early 2021;

  iii.  That the issue raised that the height of new buildings sit within the context of their wider neighbourhood be shared in principle;

  iv.  That the concern raised in relation to the height of buildings in the Canal Basin be noted and that this would be a matter for the planning process to consider in accordance with planning policies;

  v.  That it be recognised that both the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire sectors had an important contribution to make towards the balanced transport system for the town.

  vi.  That the concerns of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire drivers about their potential use of the A4 bus lane be acknowledged and that it be noted that the Leader and the Lead Member for Sustainable Transport & Environmental Services would be meeting local representative bodies to consider how they may be able to access the bus lane in the future.

The Cabinet received a report that sought approval of the final Slough Regeneration Framework which set out the Council’s corporate spatial aspirations for the centre of Slough over the next 10-15 years.  A comprehensive presentation was given on the key aspects of the Framework.

The plan promoted connectivity between the neighbourhoods and encouraged active and sustainable transport principles.  It was stated that delivering the step change envisaged would not only require new homes but be driven by the prosperity from a new Central Business District (CDB) that would support new jobs and reinvigorate the retail, leisure and cultural activity in the town centre.  The town centre’s retail footprint would be reduced in size with the aim of ensuring that the future offer was able to meet the shopping needs of local people and visitors.  The illustrative masterplan which formed the spatial representation of the Regeneration Framework demonstrated how the centre of Slough could deliver approximately 115,000 to 280,000 sq. m. of office space; 14,000 to 15,500 sq. m. of retail floorspace; 6,700 sq. m. of leisure/cultural space; 7,400 new homes.  The Cabinet reviewed the ten key objectives in detail and also noted the proposals in terms of spatial planning; indicative building heights and timescales.

The Cabinet welcome the scale and ambition of the vision for the centre of Slough and discussed various aspects of the Framework.  Lead Members recognised that delivery of the masterplan was phased over 15 years and would depend on the speed at which private developers brought forward their schemes.  The Council was delivering a range of its own schemes such as the hotel development and former Thames Valley University site which provided some early momentum to the vision.  The Framework would help to provide an overarching strategy to help shape development and set out plans for the supporting infrastructure.  This included improving the pedestrian links in the town centre with a new north/south desire line through opening up access to the station and seeking to address the physical division caused by the A4.

The Overview & Scrutiny Committee has considered the Framework at its meeting held on 10^th September and it had made a number of recommendations, as set out as follows:

·  “That Cabinet be recommended to approve that as part of making public transport the dominant mode of travel, provision be made to allow Hackney and Private Hire vehicles to use the A4 bus lane immediately along with the rest of Slough regeneration framework as set out in Appendices 1 and 2 of the report.

·  That Cabinet be recommended to consider that in taking the safety of residents into consideration during the lockdown to come into force on Monday 14th September and to encourage the use of sustainable transport for commuters travelling between Slough and Heathrow Airport, the bus lane along the A4 should only be operational during peak hours.

·  That the concerns of the Committee regarding the following, be forwarded to Cabinet for consideration:

o  Lack of information provided in the Slough Regeneration Framework Masterplan in relation to transport, traffic congestion, and the impacts of regeneration on infrastructure, such as the provision of housing and health care.

o  The height of new buildings should be in-keeping with existing buildings within a locality.  In particular, the height of new buildings in the Canal Basin area should be restricted to three/four storeys.”

The Cabinet noted that some of the immediate matters referred by the Committee did not directly relate to the content of the Regeneration Framework, however, each point was considered in turn.  The importance of developing a sustainable and efficient transport network to support the growth of the town centre was recognised and a new Transport Strategy was being prepared.  It was due to be considered by Cabinet in December 2020 and in view of the interest of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee it was agreed that they should be able to consider and provide feedback on that strategy before it came to Cabinet for approval.  In relation to the A4 bus and cycle lane introduced as part of the Covid response to provide more space for cyclists and pedestrians, the Cabinet agreed that it was important to consider the evidence and data gathered as part of the experimental scheme before taking decisions on issues such as future operating hours.  The Leader and the Lead Member for Sustainable Transport had already arranged meetings with representatives of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire drivers bodies.  The important contribution taxis made to the local transport system was acknowledged and the meetings would provide an opportunity to consider how they may be able to access the new lanes and agree a forward programme through those discussions that could be implemented for the life of the experimental scheme.  In relation to the matter referred on building heights in the Canal Basin/Stoke Wharf, the Cabinet noted the comments and agreed this would be a matter to be addressed through the planning process.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the Cabinet agreed the Slough Regeneration Framework and supporting recommendations.

Resolved –

(a)  That the Slough Regeneration Framework as set out in Appendices 1 & 2 be agreed;

(b)  That it be noted that the Slough Regeneration Framework was a corporate vision statement rather than a statutory planning document; and

(c)  That it be noted that the Slough Regeneration Framework will be used to inform the emerging Local Plan Spatial Strategy and policies for the Centre of Slough and at this stage it would enter the public consultation process.

(d)  That the recommendations and comments of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee be noted and that the Cabinet’s response be agreed as follows:

  i.  That the importance of developing a sustainable and reliable transport network to support the regeneration and growth of the town be recognised;

  ii.  That the emerging Transport Strategy be considered by the appropriate scrutiny committee or panel before being brought to Cabinet for decision in late 2020 or early 2021;

  iii.  That the issue raised that the height of new buildings sit within the context of their wider neighbourhood be shared in principle;

  iv.  That the concern raised in relation to the height of buildings in the Canal Basin be noted and that this would be a matter for the planning process to consider in accordance with planning policies;

  v.  That it be recognised that both the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire sectors have an important contribution to make towards the balanced transport system for the town.

  vi.  That the concerns of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire drivers about their potential use of the A4 bus lane be acknowledged and that it be noted that the Leader and the Lead Member for Sustainable Transport & Environmental Services had arranged to meet local representative bodies to consider how they may be able to access the bus lane in the future and agree a forward programme for period of the experimental scheme.