To receive an update.

Richard Davenport of Cox Green Steering Group updated the Forum on the above titled item. It was outlined that the Maidenhead & Cox Green Neighbourhood Plan was in the development and design phase and that there had been compliance works with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and emerging Borough Local Plan (BLP). Impacts to the Neighbourhood Plan and a consultation with the public were the next pieces of work to be carried out. It was highlighted that the development and design incorporated:

·         Streetscape and settings

·         Building heights

·         Space and private amenities

·         Parking

·         Affordable housing

·         Housing market mix

·         On road parking provision

·         Market, environment and sustainability

·         Addressing of cycling and walking routes

·         Local green spaces

·         Green corridors

·         Views

·         Community and health facilities

·         St Mark’s hospital

·         Heritage and existing conservation areas

·         Site specific policies

·         Maidenhead Water Way Corridors

It was highlighted that there would be further public consultations and that AECOM consultants would be looking at the plan in more detail. It was noted that there would be further inspection of the BLP and a referendum would be held next year. At the conclusion of the update, Councillor Hollingsworth queried whether an impact assessment had been carried out. It was confirmed that the impact assessments had been carried out on particular pieces of work, such as increase to car parking provision and the introduction of cross rail. As a result of the assessment it was found that the plan had only addresses growth of demand and not existing parking problems under the BLP inspection and that some issues did not allow legal challenge such as double parking. Councillor Sharma noted that the bus services were vital and that these services helped to tackle isolation and that consideration should be given to this matter under the intended Neighbourhood Plan. It was confirmed that if a Neighbourhood Plan was adopted that Community Infrastructure Levy ( CIL) monies could be used locally to decide where and how money is spent and that bus services could fall under this.

Councillor D Wilson highlighted that the Neighbourhood Plan could focus attention on the style and features of the area and reminded members that the BLP and Transportation Plan would include all modular transport along with the Cycling Strategy. Members were informed that the BLP was progressing and was going to phase II in 2019. The Neighbourhood Plan would focus on individual sites in order to deliver a communal benefit. CIL money could be reused for ongoing community development. Members were informed that the Neighbourhood Plan would need to be adopted before any investment of CIL money and that it should be a popular plan, flexible and not confined within BLP queries. Councillor Dudley reminded the Forum that the Bray Neighbourhood Plan had not been adopted and that this had been a atrophy of funds and resources as the plan had not been modified and did not continue to a referendum. Councillor D Wilson stated that Bray had not accepted the independent planning officer’s recommendations and that the referendum would have allowed residents to vote on the adoption of the plan.