A report summarising the feedback received during the consultation on the Draft Town Centre Public Realm Strategy Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and seeking approval of the Council’s proposed responses to the consultation comments. The report also recommends the adoption of the Town Centre Public Realm Strategy Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

The Committee considered a report that sought the adoption of the Town Centre Public Realm Strategy (TCPRS) Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and approval of the Council's responses to the comments received during the public consultation on the draft Strategy SPD.

The report stated that the intended purpose of the Strategy SPD document was to provide detailed policy and guidance to improve the quality of the public realm throughout central Reading and would be used to supplement the Local Plan when making decisions on planning applications in the town centre. In addition, it would also inform works that affected the town centre public realm outside the development process, including the Council’s own works. A copy of the proposed Town Centre Public Realm Strategy SPD was attached to the report at Appendix 3. A consultation on a proposed draft version of the Strategy SPD had been undertaken in January and February 2025, and a summary of the comments that had been received in response to the consultation and the Council’s responses to those comments was attached to the report at Appendix 2.

The report explained that, other than the high-level Local Plan policy, there was no single document to guide the quality of public realm elements in the town centre and that, as many of the key development sites that would deliver growth in the town centre were currently already at the planning application or pre-application stage, or were expected to be soon, there was considered to be a lack of specific guidance on how to ensure that all improvements to the public realm were working to an agreed framework. This included the Council’s own interventions in the public realm outside the development process. The report noted that, without a detailed strategy, there was a likelihood that decisions that affected the public realm would be made on an ad-hoc basis, thereby undermining the character and cohesiveness of central Reading. The Town Centre Public Realm Strategy SPD had been developed to address this concern and to provide an overarching framework and guide for all future public realm improvements in the town centre.

The report summarised the content of the proposed Town Centre Public Realm Strategy SPD which included an appraisal of existing town centre streets and spaces, a movement framework for pedestrians and cyclists, a design manual covering key public realm elements, detailed proposals for five priority locations in the town centre, broader guidance for other example areas, and an action plan to support both short and long-term implementation.

The consultation on the draft Strategy SPD had taken place between 15 January and 26 February 2025 and had attracted 41 responses. Key themes included concerns about maintaining accessible bus services, improving paving quality and maintenance, reducing the prevalence of obstructive trade waste bins, providing safer cycling infrastructure, enhancing accessibility for all users, and strengthening the town centre’s historic character and sense of place. Respondents also highlighted the importance of trees, biodiversity and riverside improvements, raised concerns about funding and deliverability, called for better management of crime, litter and antisocial behaviour, and emphasised the need to support independent retailers.  The report explained that the Strategy SPD had been revised in response to consultation feedback. It summarised the amendments that had been made following the consultation and set out the changes reflected in the proposed version of the document as attached at Appendix 3.

The report noted that, under transitional arrangements that had been introduced by the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, the Council had until 30 June 2026 to adopt the Strategy SPD. This was because SPDs were being replaced by supplementary plans which were more limited in scope and had different preparation requirements. There was therefore no opportunity to pursue a substantially revised version of the SPD that would require further consultation, as it could not be adopted within the permitted timeframe.

An update was provided at the meeting that a response submitted by Councillor Hornsby-Smith in his personal capacity regarding cycling in Broad Street had been inadvertently omitted from the consultation results set out in Appendix 2.

Resolved –

(1)           That the responses to representations on the Draft Town Centre Public Realm Strategy within the Statement of Consultation, as set out in Appendix 2, be approved;

(2)           That the Town Centre Public Realm Strategy SPD, as attached at Appendix 3, be adopted.