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Reading Local Plan review: a quick guide

Reading Borough Council has announced its intention to undertake a partial review of its Local Plan (2019). Our summary explores what might be included, what’s not and next steps.

Having adopted its Local Plan in November 2019, it has been the focal point in guiding development across the town, building on its commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2030[1].

Whilst other local authorities are delaying their plan preparation in light of emerging changes to the NPPF (for more information on the proposed changes see our previous commentary), Reading is positively taking account of the statutory duty for local planning authorities to review their Local Plan. Even at this early stage, there are questions as to the scope of changes and whether the proposed review goes far enough, their practical implications and the level of political influence on both.

The political landscape

Other than for a brief period between 2010-2011, Reading Borough Council (RBC) has been Labour-led since 1987 and the party currently holds 32 of the borough’s 48 seats. Elections are carried out in thirds, with elections scheduled for 2023, 2024 and 2026. The Green Party, with seven councillors, is the second largest party, with the Conservatives on six and the Liberal-Democrats three.

The council has a committee system, with lead councillors playing the role typically played by cabinet members. Some of the current Labour lead councillors are long-serving councillors with experience of a wide range of leadership positions at the council. With Labour likely to remain in control during the duration of the Local Plan review process, and the relative weakness of the opposition (Green and Conservative councillors will struggle to join forces even if they both take an anti-development position), Labour’s views will provide the context for the policy position.

What is included in the review?

The Local Plan review[2] has established that exactly half of the existing policies (45 out of 90) are in need of updating, including but not limited to, matters of:

  • Adaption to climate change and sustainable design and construction
  • Housing provision, density, affordability, design standards
  • Provision of employment
  • Design and the public realm
  • Biodiversity and major landscape features (AONB)

Reading’s adopted housing requirement currently sits at 689 dwellings per annum (dpa), with the standard methodology (including 35% uplift) taking this to 883 dpa, representing an increase of 194 dpa and equivalent of a 28% increase. As an urban authority with tightly drawn boundaries, and the NPPF Consultation proposing to remove the Duty to Co-operate[3], the question arises as to how Reading can accommodate this quantum of development.

The Committee Report and Local Plan review notes that changes to circumstances on existing allocations, the impact of a high-density approach in the town centre, and alignment with the National Design Guide are the background to reviewing half of the adopted Development Plan. However, it is interesting to note that despite the suite of changes proposed, including a review of almost all existing site allocations, over half of the policies will remain untouched. Given the inherent link between an increasing housing need, high density residential development and tall buildings, it is surprising that the council has identified no reason to review its policies in relation to tall buildings (Policy CR10) to ensure it remains fit for purpose and reflective of the borough’s city status aspirations.

Additionally, whilst RBC are preparing a supplementary planning document (SPD) on town centre public realm there is no intention to review Local Plan policies on that issue. Our public spaces are fundamental placemaking infrastructure within our town centres. This may limit the ability or ambition of any SPD to deliver public realm transformation which positively responds to the evolving nature of our town centres, if it is confined to alignment with existing policy.

As yet the Local Plan review does not conclude or provide details of what or how existing policies may change, nor does it preclude the inclusion of new policies, where circumstances require. It is envisaged that the council will undertake a call-for-sites, as well as a wider assessment of housing needs and affordability within the borough to ascertain needs and future opportunities within the borough.

Outcome of the Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport Committee

The Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport Committee meeting on the 23 March allowed political lines to be drawn at this early stage.

  • Cllr Dave McElroy, speaking on behalf of the Green Group, questioned if new properties being built would go to people who need them and whether inequality can be tackled through economic growth. 
  • In response, Labour Cllr Liz Terry, Lead Councillor for Corporate Services & Resources identified an inconsistency in the Green Party position, with Green councillors opposing development whilst their leaflets criticise the level of affordable housing delivery in Reading.

Labour lead councillors were keen to make sure they laid the blame for increased pressure on housing numbers firmly at the Government’s door.

  • Labour Cllr Micky Leng, Lead Councillor for Planning and Assets, said that the “Elephant in the room” is the 35% urban uplift, which he said divorces the methodology of calculating targets from local housing needs and means “towns such as Reading do the heavy lifting”. Cllr Leng also said changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) will mean surrounding boroughs will be under no obligation to help pick up the shortfall in housing supply. 
  • Labour Cllr Tony Page, Deputy Leader of the Council & Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy & Transport criticised the proposed Government planning reforms, which he described as a concession to Conservative backbenchers who do not want development in their areas, which creates an obligation for Reading to build more. Cllr Page said he expects that a Labour Government will be elected soon which will lead to further reform of the planning system and the setting of housing targets, with the implication that this will be less onerous on predominantly Labour-voting towns and cities.  

Moving forward

Cllr Micky Leng stressed the importance of the Local Plan for the future of Reading and urged councillors from all parties to work on the Local Plan review together, rather than politicising the debate.

Public consultation (Reg. 18) on this Local Plan review is due to be held in late 2023. This is expected to be a high-level route map for the Local Plan review before detailed policies are drafted subject to consultation in autumn 2024 (Reg. 19).

The Local Development Scheme notes that consultations are also planned for Biodiversity and Natural Environment SPD, Sustainable Transport and Parking SPD and Town Centre Public Realm SPD and are expected to adopted in November 2023 and March 2024 respectively[4].

The Reading Local Plan review is currently timetabled for adoption in summer 2025.

For more information on the Reading Local Plan review and what it might mean for development opportunities in the borough, please contact Peter Davis or Marley Bennett.

4 April 2023

[1] Reading Borough Local Plan Adopted November 2019

[2] Review of the Reading Borough Local Plan 2019: March 2023

[3] Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill: reforms to national planning policy (Paragraph 15)

[4] Reading Borough Council Local Development Scheme March 2023 

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