READING residents are invited to have their final say on the town’s local plan, which the council says will for the “blueprint” for the town until 2041.
The Local Plan is a document which will inform decisions on key planning applications for the next two decades, including the outlines of important policies on issues such as meeting housing demand, keeping housing affordable, and how sustainable development will achieve net-zero targets.
The plan is now entering its final phase of public consultation ahead of an inspection of the final draft by the Secretary of State next year.
It will then be subject to a public examination led by an independent inspector.
Following the previous phase of public consultation last year, residents, businesses, and local organisations now have a final opportunity to have their input heard.
Local councils are legally required to review their Local Plan within five years of its implementation, with the council’s plan having been adopted in 2019.
The council opted for a ‘partial’ update as a result of this necessary review, with a focus on affordable housing and energy efficiency.
Updated plans will aim to provide around 825 new homes a year, including family homes.
They will also seek collaboration from developers to address “acute” shortages of housing, especially for families, outside of central Reading.
Proposals include the increase of current targets from 50% to 67%.
The council has also acknowledged that most new developments in central Reading will mainly comprise of one- and two- bedroom homes.
Councillor Micky Leng, Reading Borough Council’s Lead for Planning, said: “This is the final opportunity for people to feedback on what is a key document for our town which will have a material impact on how it looks and develops up to 2041.
“Changes have been made from the previous version, including a substantial increase in the creation of family-sized homes by developers outside of Central Reading.
“It also continues to demand high standards from developers in terms of creating genuinely sustainable and energy efficient homes, which also help to drive down costs for struggling households.”
He explained: “Aside from steering the type of development the town needs, it is also important to say that the Local Plan plays a key role in the protection of land and changes in national law and policy which mean that greater protection must also be afforded to biodiversity, wildlife and existing habitats.
“I’d urge residents, businesses and organisations across Reading to take some time over the coming weeks to take a look at our intended direction of travel and feed into our town’s Local Plan.”
The council is holding drop-in sessions with planners at the Civic Offices between 1pm and 6pm on Tuesday November 26, and between 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Wednesday December 11.
Residents can find out more and register their views via: reading.gov.uk/localplanupdate
The deadline for comments is December 18
