Maidenhead & Windsor

Planning for the future shape of the Maidenhead Royal Borough will be in the spotlight at a public examination early next year – but before then residents are being given a final opportunity to have their say so that their views can be taken into account by the planning inspector.

This week sees the start of another borough-wide consultation on the most up-to-date version of A Vision for the Maidenhead Royal Borough – the core strategy of the Local Development Framework and the major central document in the replacement for the Local Plan – and the council is urging people to take part even if they have done so before.

Maidenhead Cllr Vicky Howes, explained: "If anyone has comments on the latest version of the strategy it is essential that they send them to the council now. Previous responses will not be allowed at the public examination and people will not have the right to have their earlier views heard by the inspector.

"We had more than 1,500 responses from our consultation earlier this year and we have tried to take account of those views. However, given the strict rules of the public examination, it is imperative that anyone who feels their views have not been properly reflected should get their responses to the council by the closing date of December 15. This is the final chance to have a say before the inspector comes to us so it is really important to get involved."

Everyone who took part in the consultation earlier this year will receive an explanatory letter and a copy of a new newsletter setting out the main changes to the core strategy. The strategy and its supporting documents (including the sustainability appraisal) and copies of the newsletter will also be available in Maidenhead council offices and libraries, while the newsletters will be available at First Stop Shops and leisure centres across the borough.

Cllr Howes added: "The newsletter lets people know where we are with the core strategy and explains the consultation process. We hope it will be snapped up by residents who want to help the council plan for the future to ensure we have a borough and environment where our children, grandchildren and future generations will enjoy living."

Main changes to the core strategy since the previous consultation include; a new 40% level of affordable housing in all housing developments of five or more homes; clear policies on the Green Belt and the natural environment; new policies on the borough's housing allocation and renewable energy; stronger policies on tourism and the protection of land already used for employment purposes, and business and retail policies that set out the most appropriate and sustainable places for development.

The core strategy and its sustainability appraisal, along with a summary of the views feeding into the strategy, are available on the planning pages of Maidenhead council's website www.rbwm.gov.uk The website has guidance notes and the official response form. Copies are also available by calling 01628 796115.

Ways to respond:

* via the response form at www.rbwm.gov.uk
* by writing to the Planning Policy Manager, York Stream House, St Ives Road, Maidenhead SL6 1QS
* by email to planning.policy@rbwm.gov.uk

The closing date is Friday December 15.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead