RESIDENTS are being invited to have their say on two new key planning policy documents as the council launches two consultations.
These documents will help shape the town centre and how the council engages with the community on planning matters.
The council’s Draft Reading Town Centre Public Realm Strategy sets out a vision aimed at longer-term improvements to public spaces in the centre to help create pleasant, accessible and sustainable environments which support the town’s growing population and economic development.
It supplements the council’s overarching Local Plan and will help to inform decisions on planning applications and investment decisions in future years.
Separately, Reading Council has also launched a public consultation on a refreshed Statement of Community Involvement (CSI).
The draft SCI sets out how the local planning authority will involve the community in producing planning documents, as well as on planning applications and pre-application enquiries.
A review of the Council’s existing SCI was carried out in October 2024 and found it was up-to-date, other than elements related to neighbourhood planning.
The Council is therefore proposing updates to address this, alongside some other minor updates.
Councillor Micky Leng, the Council’s Lead for Planning, said:
“Our town centre in Reading continues to grow and transition. It is therefore important we have a comprehensive overarching strategy in place which makes the very best of the space which exists in order to help create an even more pleasant environment for residents and visitors alike.
“At the same time, we are consulting on a refreshed Statement of Community involvement, which will guide how the Council will involve the public on planning matters, giving them a direct say in how their local community develops.
“I’d urge as many residents, businesses and organisations as possible to take some time to feedback online.”
Following the public consultation, officers will take some time to consider public feedback before final drafts are proposed for adoption.
Physical copies of each draft can be viewed at the Civic Offices on Bridge Street between 9am and 5pm on weekdays, and in all Council libraries.
The deadline for comments on both documents is Wednesday 26 February at 5 pm.
