A second week of public hearing sessions to determine the future of Windsor and Maidenhead begins tomorrow (Tuesday).

The emerging local plan is being made available for scrutiny over a four week period this month and through November.

The hearings are all happening 'virtually' due to the coronavirus epidemic enabling people to view the discussions online through the YouTube channel.

ALSO VIEW Tier two: Windsor and Maidenhead Council leader calls for tighter coronavirus restrictions

The second week begins tomorrow, running for three days from 9.30am and ending Tuesday 5.30pm, Wednesday 5pm and Thursday 4.30pm.

Members of the public who have already applied formally will be raising questions of their own

Councillor David Coppinger, the Royal Borough's lead member for planning, says: "Our current plan is now very dated and the new plan that’s being examined in these public hearing sessions will ensure that we can defend the borough against speculative development, regenerate our towns and meet the growing housing needs of our residents.

ALSO VIEW Windsor and Maidenhead urged to seek flood defence funds by petition

“We are very pleased with how the first week of hearings went earlier this month. It’s been a very constructive process and we’re making clear progress. We’re looking forward to assisting the independent inspector at the remaining hearing sessions, and subject to the modifications that the inspector feels are necessary to make the Local Plan ‘sound’, we anticipate adopting the Local Plan in spring/summer 2021."

The Borough Local Plan is being examined by an independent planning inspector Louise Phillips, who conducted a first round of public hearing sessions in June 2018.

The borough was subsequently asked to rethink some elements of its earlier plan and revisions were made after consultations with residents and businesses.

The second week of public hearing sessions will consider a range of matters and issues including future housing provision, infrastructure and the approach to planning for the town centres.

The programme for the second week of hearing sessions can be found at: http://consult.rbwm.gov.uk/file/5716473

Agendas for each day of sessions can be viewed at: https://www.rbwm.gov.uk/home/planning/planning-policy/emerging-plans-and-policies/draft-borough-local-plan/examination-local-plan/inspectors-documents

A further session will be taking place week commencing November 9.

A copy of the plan showing the proposed changes can be found at: https://rbwm.objective.co.uk/file/5512060.