PLANS to build 11 flats are refused AGAIN is just one of the many planning decisions or applications submitted to Slough Borough Council or the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

To view more details for each application, go to the respective council’s planning portal with the reference number attached.

Demolition of MOT centre to construct 11 flats blocked at 2A Bower Way, Slough (P/01125/009).

Developers wanted to redevelop the Thames Valley Garage, a motor repair shop and MOT centre, into six two-beds and five one-bedroom apartments.

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In June 2021, planning officers and councillors blocked the plans, fearing the designs would be “overbearing” to the neighbours and the proposed parking was “inadequate”.

However, the developers took another stab by adding more parking, which now equates to 15 bays, and reduced some height off the building to relieve concerns.

This wasn’t enough to quash the planning officer’s worries and refused the scheme again.

Slough Observer: Thames Valley GarageThames Valley Garage

Plans to erect a 5G mast refused at verge outside 1B Gardeners Cottage, Silwood Road, Sunninghill, Ascot (21/02558/TLDTT).

The developers CK Hutchinson Networks wanted to place a 20m monopole with four equipment cabinets so they could upgrade its network and rollout 5G coverage to the local area.

Four residents wrote in to object to the plans, saying it will create a “negative visual impact” and will be “out of style” with the area.

One local stated: “It will have an impact on the low-rise skyline of the area and will be overbearing in design. The mast will be twice as high as the nearest building and three times as high as the houses opposite.”

Slough Observer: Verge outside 1B Gardeners Cottage, Silwood Road, SunninghillVerge outside 1B Gardeners Cottage, Silwood Road, Sunninghill

Planning officers sided with the residents, citing the monopole would be “unduly prominent and detrimental” to the character and appearance of the street scene and heritage assets.

Refused plans to convert a travel agency into flats at Eton Travel Agency, 104 - 105 High Street, Eton, Windsor (21/02262/CLASSO).

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The building was used as offices for over 10 years, but developers wanted to convert it into four two-bedroom apartments and allocating seven bays at the existing forecourt parking area to the future occupiers.

The proposal involves the conversion of the ground, first and second-floor office accommodation to create the self-contained flats. No external alterations are proposed to the building.

Slough Observer: Eton Travel AgencyEton Travel Agency

But planning officers refused the scheme on the grounds the spaces in the flats are not nationally compliant and the applicant “failed” to provide sufficient information that the building is lawfully in use as an office that is functionally separate from the adjoining travel agency.

As the site sits in a high probability of flooding zone, the officers also took issue if the flood risk can be “safely managed” with an escape plan for the future residents if a flood did occur.