A SCHEME has been put forward to build 39 flats in a road already subject to extensive re-development work.

MNK Estates (UK) Ltd has submitted an application to Slough Borough Council for the construction of a new apartment block behind Westminster House in Windsor Road.

A change of use at Westminster House from office use has already been permitted to give the go-ahead for an initial 27 flats consisting of studio, one-bed and two-bed homes. However, the new proposed development consists of an additional 12 flats to be built, bringing the total to 39 flats, 37 parking spaces plus one for disabled drivers and cycle storage.

There is already a large number of homes in the road, which is also seeing the redevelopment of Observatory House, a proposal of three ‘urban villas’ offering 122 apartments and plans to widen the actual road itself.

Despite this, Dermot McCaffery, a highways and transportation consultant, predicts traffic from the site will be low. His report states: “It is likely that a high proportion of residents of the new scheme will have jobs in the town centre or will prefer to commute out of Slough by bus or train. The excellent access to public transport will encourage this.”

A tree inspection has been completed of the 36 trees. which currently occupy the parameter of the site with a mixture of tree of heaven, London plane, lime, sycamore, ash, rowan and horse chestnutDue to an emergency tree preservation order, initiated by the council in March 2013, at this stage only one tree will be removed, and it has been strongly recommended that 17 trees remain and the other 15 should only be removed if replacements can be planted.

The application can be viewed in full at http://www.slough.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control using the reference number P/02278/018.