Policy information sourced from Windsor and Maidenhead Local Plan

SP1 Spatial Strategy for the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

The Council’s overarching spatial strategy for the Borough is to focus the majority of development in three strategic growth areas (Maidenhead, Windsor and Ascot) to make best use of infrastructure and services, in addition to providing a sustainable approach to growth.

Maidenhead

Within Maidenhead new development will largely be focused on the strategic growth location which is comprisedof Maidenhead Town Centreand South West Maidenhead. Higher intensity development will be encouraged in the strategic growth location, particularly within the town centre and near to the Maidenhead railway station to take advantage of the Elizabeth Line connections.

Maidenhead Town Centre will be a major focus of sustainable growth to support its important role within the wider Thames Valley. Regeneration and new housing, employment, retail and leisure development will help provide a high quality, highly connected and vibrant place.

South West Maidenhead will provide a sustainable extension to Maidenhead. This new place will accommodate a large proportion of the Borough’s required new housing and employment, as well as providing for leisure and recreation needs.

Development in Maidenhead outside of the strategic growth location will be focused on existing urban sites wherever possible, with some limited release of Green Belt.

Windsor

Windsor is identified as accommodating limited growth. Windsor town centre has national and international significance as a major focus of visitor and tourist activity based on Windsor Castle and the River Thames. The conservation of existing heritage assets is particularly important, meaning limited development will only be permitted where it seeks to enhance the quality of the built environment and does not compromise its character and appearance. A growth area has been identified on the western edge of the Windsor urban area where limited Green Belt release will accommodate additional housing growth.

Ascot

Development within the Ascot growth location will be largely focused around the High Street and its immediate vicinity. The coordinated development of several sites related to Ascot High Street will provide the opportunity to strengthen its role as a significant centre in the Borough providing a wide range of uses and activities, and include the provision of public open space. This will be achieved through the redevelopment of existing sites as well as limited Green Belt release.

Villages and Green Belt

The villages excluded from the Green Belt will continue in their roles as local centres as well as providing limited opportunity to accommodate new development. This will largely be achieved through the redevelopment of existing brownfield sites within the villages alongside limited Green Belt release.

The Green Belt will be protected from inappropriate development in line with Government policy

For more information please see the Local Plan