NEARLY 3,400 homes, new shops, and a revamp of a town centre could be approved for development in five key areas, which could completely change the local landscape.
Next year could see some huge developments approved across Slough, Windsor, Maidenhead, and Ascot, depending on how councillors on the relevant planning committees vote.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service has rounded up five major planning applications to keep a lookout for in the new year.
Big plans to transform Windsor Yards submitted (22/02893/FULL).
The town centre that’s on the doorstep of the Royals could be radically changed thanks to a £100m investment.
UREF LP hopes the changes it proposes to make will make Windsor Yards more attractive to businesses – particularly restaurants and bars – creating 700 jobs, an improved retail offer, and reinvigorating the town’s night-time economy.
The plans include a cinema with a capacity of 307 seats on the east side of Bridgewater Way, a new office block and 104 room Apart-hotel to the south, and 24 flats above the shops fronting the western side of Bridgewater Way.
READ MORE: Windsor Yards plans reveal new cinema, hotel, and flats
It also proposes a two-storey extension to the existing Travelodge hotel to create 44 additional rooms, two new decks could be added to the multi-storey car park to create 79 spaces, and public realm improvements that include a pocket garden to the south with an outdoor café.
Windsor Yards was originally called King Edward Court and residents have been calling for the name to be changed or reverted back to its original title. They say the word ‘Yards’ makes the centre sound like a “dirty, low-rent type” place.
UREF LP has said they are “not wedded” to the name Windsor Yards and are considering a name change but could not commit to making this change into a promise.
Revised plans submitted to build 133 homes in Ascot High Street (yet to be submitted).
London Square went back to the drawing board and amended its scheme to build 32 homes and 101 apartments on land south of the High Street, by the Ascot fire station.
A previous scheme involved building 137 dwellings involving 32 one-beds and 69 two-bedroom apartments with two-bedroom duplexes and 34 four-bedroom homes.
The revised scheme includes a park with open areas of grass and a play area, a two-storey community building, a large public square, and new shops, cafes, restaurants, and office uses.
READ MORE: Ascot High Street could see 133 homes and new shops built
Following a six-month consultation period with the local community and stakeholders, the developer decided to increase the community building to include a flexible hall capable of seating 126 people with spill-out space into the square and supporting office space on the first floor.
It also redesigned the architecture to reduce the height of the key buildings and added a new outdoor performance space with a revised landscape design.
A major development could be coming to Bath Road, Slough (P/19639/001).
Mackenzie (South West) Homes Ltd has submitted plans to build 301 apartments at 342 to 340 and 352, 360, 370 to 372 Bath Road.
The housing mix includes 19 studios, 132 one-bed, 109 two-bed, and 11 three-bedrooms. The developer aims to make some of the flats affordable, however, that is subject to a viability study.
The buildings could range from two-storeys in height to 11-storeys, with a courtyard, and could also include 201 car parking spaces in an undercroft car park.
It also proposes new landscaping and pedestrian route along the Brook Path and improved pedestrian links and ‘animated street frontage’ along Bath Road, Burnham Lane, and Brook Path.
Two commercial units on the ground-floor are also included in the scheme.
The design and access statement reads: “The objective is to transform a strip of under-utilised, part demolished, big box roadside units, which are isolated from their surroundings, into a vibrant urban gateway of activity, becoming a new focal point for the local community.”
Controversial 330 homes plan submitted at Spencer’s Farm 330, Maidenhead (22/01537/OUT).
Much to the dismay of nearby residents of the Aldebury estate, IM Planning has submitted outline plans to build new homes and a primary school, as well as create public open space.
The site in Summerleaze Road could also see three-storey apartment blocks compromising one and two-bedrooms as well as 2.5-storey homes that are proposed to be a mix of two, three, and four-bedrooms built.
Forty per cent of the homes are proposed to be affordable. As part of the scheme, the developer is also proposing 4.65 hectares of open space land with a play area and sports pitch.
This is the third attempt at a development bid that has been put forward on the site. Both the 2009 and 2012 housing plans were abandoned.
READ MORE: 330 homes plan at Spencer's Farm, Maidenhead, submitted
But because Spencer’s Farm is allocated within the borough local plan (AL25), it earmarks the site for development and takes it out of the greenbelt.
Residents have not been happy with the return of the plans, who fear the flooding issues at the site are “the next crisis waiting to happen”.
IM Planning maintain the view the site is at a ‘low risk’ from flooding but have put in management measures in case of an extreme flood event.
Plans will soon be submitted to develop the controversial Maidenhead Golf Course (yet to be submitted).
Probably the biggest and most contentious site is saved for last. Up to 2,600 homes could be built on the golf course on Shoppenhangers Road as well as on the parcels of land on Harvest Hill Road.
Developer CALA Homes (Chiltern), in partnership with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, revealed they plan to submit their outline scheme, which could see up to 2,000 homes – 30 per cent of which are affordable – two schools, a local centre, cycle and footpaths, and public open spaces, next year.
The site, named the Elizabeth Quarter, could see a mix of family homes to the south and apartments to the north.
A north-south route known as a “green spine” could run from the development to provide access to nature and the central park.
If planning permission and the reserved matters are approved, development could start in 2026 and be completed in 2040/41.
This is because golf club members can choose to stay at the 132-acre site until the very end of 2025. The council bought the lease of the golf course for nearly £16m.
Ever since the site has been earmarked within the borough local plan, campaigners from Maidenhead Great Park have been fighting tooth and nail to overturn the local plan in order to transform the golf course into a great park for residents to enjoy and help combat climate change.
But their legal challenges have so far been unsuccessful with the scheme looking like it will press on ahead.
READ MORE: First look at 2,000 homes plan at Maidenhead golf course
Elsewhere, other developers have submitted plans to build on parcels of land south of Harvest Hill Road, which is earmarked for 600 homes in total.
Berkeley Homes have submitted a scheme for 214 homes (22/01717/FULL) on land south of Manor Lane and Elivia Homes have submitted plans to build 47 homes (22/02821/FULL) on land south of Harvest Hill Road, which could see the demolition of Adam Cottage, Harvest Hill House, and Grove House.
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