A NEIGHBOURING council has slammed Slough’s plans for thousands of homes in the Green Belt – saying the authority’s solution is ‘entrenched and uninformed’ – and that it has failed to follow the correct procedures.

South Bucks District Council’s land is in Slough Borough Council’s sights in its newly published Northern Extension plan – as Slough struggles to find space for more homes on its existing land. Up to 10,000 homes would be built around Richings Park, Iver and Langley in addition to Wexham, under the draft proposal.

But the district council is entirely against the plan and says it will ‘vigorously defend’ its Green Belt.

The Slough plan was produced through consultants, Atkins.

District council interim leader and portfolio holder for sustainable development, Cllr Nick Naylor, said: “This report has been published against our better advice. It could totally mislead readers and give them an entirely incorrect impression that Slough Borough Council has found a solution to its housing need shortfall in South Bucks. It has not.

“There is no evidence to support Slough Borough Council or Atkins’ position while South Bucks District Council has appropriately considered a northern extension option and have rejected it based on our own sound evidence and national planning policy.

“Due processes have not been followed in the production of this report and we fundamentally disagree with the basis on which it has been brought forward, its timing and its findings.

“South Bucks is not alone in this view and I would draw the public’s attention to a joint Position Statement with Chiltern, Aylesbury Vale and Wycombe district councils and Bucks Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnership on Slough’s approach. “Buckinghamshire County Council has also expressed similar concerns to Slough Borough Council. We are all of one mind – that the Atkins Report is not appropriate, it fails to consider all relevant issues and does not present a viable solution. We have had lengthy discussions with Slough colleagues under the Duty to Co-Operate, which regrettably have failed to change the Borough’s entrenched, and uninformed, position. It is very disappointing that Slough has decided to publish this report at least without taking our comments into account. We will, under the Duty to Co-operate, continue to work with Slough to help them find a solution to their housing needs where we can, but all evidence to date points to the fact a northern extension of Slough cannot be the answer.

“That being the case, South Bucks Members will continue to vigorously defend this strategic part of our Green Belt, and protect this area from inappropriate development.”