READING Borough Council's "ambitious" planning policies are set to be supported by the planning inspector.

The council has received a response to its Draft Local Plan, which sets out the policies for the borough and is the main consideration in deciding planning applications.

The planning inspector's letter seeks further information on just five out of the 91 policies set out in the plan, which means that council objectives for matters such as sustainable development, controlling the location of student accommodation and the allocation of housing sites are likely to be supported, subject to final confirmation from the inspector.

Despite this, more evidence is sought by the inspector in relation to four key policy areas, including: securing affordable housing on sites with fewer than 10 dwellings (Policy H3); requiring large employment developments to contribute towards providing affordable housing (Policy EM1); build to rent schemes (Policy H4) and changes to the site allocation policy for part of Reading Golf Club (Policy CA1b) to strengthen the requirement for health care and parking facilities on site.

Minor changes are also noted, including changes to Policy H1, which sets out the housing completion targets for the borough, which needs to be updated to reflect the latest data on permissions and completions.

Councillor Tony Page, lead councillor for strategic environment, planning and transport, said: "The long awaited response from the inspector has broadly endorsed the council's plans and policies for how the borough will develop up to 2036.

"The council's ambitious plans to secure more sustainable development targets is one example of this council doing the most it can to improve the environment.

"The inspector has however sought more information on our affordable housing policies.

"Officers will now provide robust and detailed information to the inspector to justify the proposed policies.

"Maintaining a supply of affordable housing from new development is essential to ensure affordable homes for local residents who have been priced out of the market for far too long."

The council will submit the information in the coming week and maintain its target to formally adopt the Local Plan in October 2019.