Maidenhead & Windsor

The strategy that will guide all future development in the Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough has been subjected to intense public scrutiny to ensure it measures up to the needs and challenges of the next 20 years.

Residents, employers, developers and amenity groups attended the three-week Examination in Public of the council’s new Local Development Framework (LDF) Core Strategy, held from June 12 to 27 in the Town Hall and in St. Mary’s Church Hall, Maidenhead.

The examination was the climax of three years’ work, started in March 2004, to capture the views of residents and employers in the strategy which will be the cornerstone of the new LDF (replacing current Local Plan).

Presided over by Robert Neil Parry, from the Planning Inspectorate, the examination featured lively discussions on subjects such as the growth strategy for the borough; housing affordability, numbers and distribution; protecting the historic and natural environment; flooding; the River Thames and the Green Belt.

Cllr Derek Wilson, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead planning, attended the examination and has thanked everyone involved in the preparation of the core strategy for their constructive input throughout the lengthy process.

He said: “The core strategy is the basis for all future development in the borough and is the key to ensuring that residents and businesses, both now and in the future, can continue to enjoy a high quality environment.

“The demands for further building in our borough will be a constant challenge over the next 20 years and beyond and it is imperative that we have a robust LDF to help guide development in the most sustainable way for the benefit of everyone.”

Following examination in public, the inspector will consider all views and produce his report, expected around the end of August this year. This will set out the inspector’s findings and will recommend whether the council can forge ahead with the next steps to adopt the core strategy as a basis for planning decisions and other more detailed work. The inspector’s report will be available from the council’s web site at www.rbwm.gov.uk

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead