Public consultation has begun over the possible release of Green Belt land to help tackle the shortage of land for larger homes in Slough.

Slough Borough Council’s Local Plan identifies a shortage of around 5,000 houses in the period up until 2040.

But many of the homes, currently proposed for the borough, are flats and so those with three or more bedrooms – particularly affordable homes – are in short supply. The council has revealed that 10 per cent of the people on its 2,000 strong housing list need four or five bedrooms.

Ten sites have been identified, ranked by a traffic light system to define what the council considers the more appropriate.

All are classed as urban extensions which is considered more sustainable as they are close to amenities such as shops and public transport.

GREEN – sites considered suitable 

  • Wexham Park Hospital School of Nursing site
  • Land to the rear of Opal Court, Wexham Street
  • Land east of Wexham Park Hospital
  • Land east of Rochfords Gardens
  • Upton Court Farm

AMBER – possible sites

  • Land East of Market Lane – part of Northern Extension
  • Land south of Blenheim Road – part of Ditton Park Historic park & garden

RED – sites considered less suitable

  • St Anthony’s Field, Farnham Road – gap between Slough and Farnham Royal
  • North of Muddy Lane, Stoke Poges Lane – part of playing field
  • Bloom Park, Middlegreen Road – part of public open space

Cllr Pavitar Mann, lead member for housing, highways, planning and place, said: “We want our families to be able to grow up and prosper in our town and ensure we have family homes for them to move into.

“This public consultation is an important opportunity for the council to receive and take into account your views on potential options for development in the Green Belt and I would urge local residents and groups, businesses, organisations, landowners and developers to take part in this public consultation.”

The ‘exceptional circumstances’ requirement to develop Green Belt would still apply to any planning applications.

Consultation closes on December 17

Visit https://slough.citizenspace.com/

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