Wider area growth study
As a result of Duty to Co-operate work and a successful bid to the MHCLG Joint Working Fund, the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead (RBWM), in conjunction with Slough Borough Council (SBC) and South Bucks District Council (SBDC) and Chiltern District Council (CDC) commissioned a joint study to address issues arising from future growth that is anticipated from the Slough, Maidenhead and Windsor urban area. The joint South Bucks and Chiltern District Councils participated in Part one. These Councils were succeeded by Buckinghamshire Council in April 2020, who subsequently withdrew from the study.
The Wider Area Growth Study is comprised of 2 parts.
Part 1 - defining the area of search
The first part was commissioned in 2018 and explored the functional geographies associated with the Slough/Maidenhead/Windsor urban cluster. The Part 1 study was completed in 2019 and identified a geographic area of search for potentially accommodating the future growth needs of the Slough/Maidenhead and Windsor urban cluster. The identified geographic area of search includes the following local authorities:
- All of Slough, Windsor & Maidenhead and Hillingdon
- Parts of Buckinghamshire, Bracknell Forest, Surrey Heath, Runnymede
Check the wider area growth study - part 1.
Part 2 – Spatial options
The Part 2 work identifies potential strategic spatial options for accommodating future growth and tests those options. It is an evidence base that could be used for consideration in the preparation of future Local Plans and for use in Duty to Cooperate discussions. It does not make recommendations and does not set policy. The work commenced in May 2020 and was completed by September 2022.
The options tested are broad areas rather than specific sites. They include one location within the borough of Slough, north of Colnbrook, which is suggested for employment growth. Other locations, suggested primarily for residential growth, are to the west, north and east of Slough. The largest being a location near to Langley, Rochfords Gardens and Wexham Court.