SEGRO’S Simplified Planning Zone
SEGRO'S Simplified Planning Zone. We provided support to SEGRO in securing renewal of their SPZ for their Slough Trading Estate site.
We provided Daylight and Sunlight consultancy to assist in securing the renewal of a SEGRO's Simplified Planning Zone (SPZ) across the Slough Trading Estate. Through comprehensive Daylight and Sunlight assessments, conducted in accordance with the BRE Report 209, Site Layout Planning for Daylight and Sunlight: A Guide to Good Practice (Third Edition, 2022), we ensured that SEGRO, the design team and the Local Planning Authority were able to balance all natural light considerations.
SEGRO'S Simplified Planning Zone
An SPZ is an essential planning tool that allows certain developments to proceed without the need for individual planning permissions. Examples include data centres, warehouses, and research facilities for instance. This streamlined process fosters business growth and investment while also providing greater certainty in the development timeline.
SEGRO's updated Simplified Planning Zone scheme for 2024-2034 was adopted on 12 November 2024. It replaced the previous SPZ that had expired at the same time. This renewal is critical for the ongoing success of Slough Trading Estate, which is the largest industrial estate in Europe under single private ownership. Covering 486 acres and providing 7.5 million square feet of accommodation, the estate houses 500 businesses and employs approximately 20,000 people.
SEGRO’s management of the estate has had a significant positive impact on the local economy. It has attracted international investment, business growth, creating jobs, and generating substantial local revenue for instance. To evidence this, in 2024, the estate was home to 350 businesses. These businesses employed over 15,000 people, and also generated £49 million in business rates.
SEGRO's Simplified Planning Zone - Our Role
Anstey Horne played a pivotal role in the renewal process. Utilising our digital reality modelling software to assess the potential daylight and sunlight changes of SEGRO'S Simplified Planning Zone massing on surrounding receptors. This cutting-edge software provided accurate insights into Daylight and Sunlight challenges which informed the SPZ envelope.
Through close collaboration with Stantec and Chetwood Architects, we helped optimise the heights and positions of the proposed massing across the Estate. Our collaborative effort ensured the design remained sensitive to the needs of the local community. Additionally, this thoughtful approach reflects SEGRO’s commitment to preserving the Slough Trading Estate as a thriving hub for business.
For over 30 years, the SPZ has enabled SEGRO to efficiently deliver industrial space, infrastructure, and amenities. This has also significantly reduced the administrative burden on the local council. SEGRO'S Simplified Planning Zone also includes a refreshed Design Code. This enhances conditions focused on improving landscaping and design quality across the site for instance.
Services
We advised on all aspects of Daylight & Sunlight to support SEGRO'S Simplified Planning Zone in Slough.
Client : SEGRO
Architects : Stantec and Chetwoods
Services : Daylight & Sunlight
Carefully considered design ensured that above all the SPZ remained sensitive to the needs of the local community. It also reflects SEGRO's commitment to preserve the Slough Trading Estate.
Daylight & Sunlight Services
Detailed Daylight & Sunlight Assessments
Masterplanning & Site Optimisation
Maximum Development Envelopes & Optimisation
Façade Analysis & Optimisation
Internal Daylight & Sunlight Assessment
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Transient Overshadowing
Hours in Sun for Amenity Space
Climate Based Assessment
Tree Impact Assessments
Radiance Studies
Light Pollution
Expert Witness
Technical adviser to Local Planning Authorities
For advice on rights of light or daylight & sunlight direct from one of our surveyors, please call our Daylight & Sunlight Enquiry Line on 020 4534 3138.
If you’d like us to call you, please fill in our Contact Us form and we will call you back.
Matthew Grant
BA (Hons) MScLL
Senior Director
Rights to Light
London
Gracie Irvine
BSc (Hons)
Director
Rights to Light
London