Revised plans to redevelop Slough offices into 51 flats submitted

A new scheme to redevelop the three-storey office block Automotive House in Grays Place has been submitted following refusal earlier this year.

Developer Slough Propinvest Ltd wants to turn the site into an eight-storey apartment block, comprising of 51 flats.

If approved, the development would have a mix of 23 one-bed and 28 two-bed homes – the majority of which would have access to private balconies.

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No affordable housing is proposed.

As the site is close to the Slough town centre, only two disabled parking bays with electric charging points and 58 cycle parking spaces – six of which are reserved for visitors – are proposed.

The developer previously submitted plans to build an apartment block of up to 10-storeys in height to hold 61 flats with no affordable homes.

CG of the refused 61 flats scheme

But Slough councillors on the planning committee refused this scheme in April after officers’ raised issues over its height, bulk, and massing would clash with the street’s character as well as being overbearing to the adjacent flats, blocking natural light to neighbours.

The developer now hopes reducing its scale and separating its distance from established buildings from 7.3m to 12m will persuade councillors and officers to accept the scheme.

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In the design and access statement, it states: “The building itself would also be environmentally friendly, minimising carbon emissions through the use of modern technologies such as air source heat pumps, and using high standards of insulation to reduce heat loss.

“The proposed development would bring many benefits, by greatly improving the site’s appearance, providing the homes which are needed where they are needed, creating a great place to live, and encouraging sustainable modes of transport.”