Slough Massing Study: understanding the contribution made by setting to the significance of Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park

Slough town centre lies roughly 3km north of Windsor Castle (Grade I Listed), England's largest castle.

Windsor Castle has become fixed in the popular consciousness as an exemplar of how a medieval Castle should look.

Much of Windsor Great Park is lower than the Castle, and in views from these areas the Castle is silhouetted against the sky.

In contrast, when viewed from a ridge of land to the south of the Castle, the Castle is seen against the backdrop of the Chilterns with Slough in between.

Windsor Castle and the Great Park are of the highest significance as one of England's most important historic ensembles.

There is increasing interest in and pressure from large-scale development proposals in Slough, which have the potential individually and cumulatively to harm the significance of the Windsor ensemble through development in its setting.

Decision-making is made harder by a lack of detailed analysis of the contribution made by setting to the significance of the Windsor ensemble.

This project commissioned by Historic England, working in partnership with Slough Borough Council, will inform decision-making on planning applications and support the preparation of a new local plan, helping Slough to meet its needs for residential and employment development in a manner that respects the setting and significance of the Windsor ensemble.