Maidenhead Town Forum
Wednesday 8 October 2014 6.30 pm
To listen to an audio recording of the part I section of this meeting, go to:http://www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/meetings_audio_recordings_october2014.htm
MAIDENHEAD TOWN FORUM
8 OCTOBER 2014
PRESENT: Councillors Philip Love (Chairman), Claire Stretton (Vice Chair), Charles Hollingsworth, Hari Dev Sharma and Derek Wilson.
Also Present: Councillors Paul Brimacombe, Marion Mills and MJ Saunders.
Phil Brady (Ryger Maidenhead Ltd), Jay Brickell (member of the public), Rachel Cook (member of the public), Bob Dulson (PRoM), Lucy Elder (Maidenhead Advertiser), Alexander Hall (Ryger Maidenhead Ltd), Douglas Higgins (London & Aberdeen Group / Ryger Maidenhead Ltd), Greg Jones (member of the public), Kath Pinto (Maidenhead FOE), Sally Radford (Chamber of Commerce), Peter Sands (Chamber of Commerce), David West (London & Aberdeen Group / Ryger Maidenhead Ltd) and Jane Wright (Nicholson’s Centre).
Officers: Chris Hilton, Shauna Hitchens, Steph James and Tanya Leftwich.
PART I
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None were received.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor Philip Love declared an interest in the agenda as he was on the Maidenhead Development Control Panel and a member of PRoM and Maidenhead Town Partnership.
Councillor Claire Stretton declared an interest in the agenda as she was on the Maidenhead Development Control Panel and a member of PRoM and Maidenhead Town Partnership.
Councillor Derek Wilson declared an interest in the agenda as was the Chairman for the Maidenhead Development Control Panel, a member of PRoM and Maidenhead Town Partnership.
MINUTES
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Forum held on 26 March 2014 be approved subject to the Crossrail figure of £50billion being amended to read £15billion.
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and informed them that it was being recorded.
THE BROADWAY REGENERATION SCHEME
The Chairman explained that this meeting had been arranged so that Members could receive a presentation on the Broadway Regeneration Scheme and discuss ideas about what could take place in the central space.
The Chairman welcomed Ryger Maidenhead Ltd to the meeting and invited them to address the Forum. A copy of the presentation was available from the Clerk.
The presentation covered the following:
Maidenhead Area Action Plan (AAP).
Location Plan.
Ten Principles:
- o Three Focal Points
o A new public space at the heart of the scheme
o A memorable meeting place
o A porous perimeter
o A family of buildings responding to different edges
o Stepping back from Queen Street
o Simple floor plates juxtaposed organically
o Really good, really generous homes
o Elegant, flexible shops and eateries
o Noble materiality referencing the best of Maidenhead
- o Model views
o Illustrative Materiality
- o Red brick and pale stone
o Study of an archetypal street
o Decorative brickwork and terracotta
o External facades – red brick in relief
o External facades – red brick with expressed balconies
o Retail perimeter – crafted shop fronts with canopies
o The oval space – pale stone frame
o The lanes – golden to catch the light
o The lanes – gold or bronze tecu cladding
o The lantern – timber canopy installation
o Landscape – textured stone paving
o Proposed station crossing
Public Consultation feedback.
In the ensuing discussion, the following points were noted:
That two weeks ago the Maidenhead Advertiser had asked whether the Broadway Regeneration Scheme was heading in the right direction and had received a 69% yes vote.
Douglas Higgins explained that he was the Managing Director of London & Aberdeen Group which was based in Burchett’s Green.
That to bring forward the best possible design for the scheme, architects were chosen through a bespoke Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) design competition. It was noted that more than 30 practices were considered and the unanimous winner was Studio Egret West as master planner and lead architect, with Allies & Morrison instructed on one of the office buildings.
That Ryger Maidenhead Ltd had worked in partnership with the Planning Team at the RBWM and their client group to create change in the Town Centre.
That a detailed planning application would follow later in the year.
That to draw footfall through the site, the scheme would provide a stunning central public space – Lantern Circus – bustling with activity, framed by cafés and bistros, and featuring a public art centrepiece.
It was noted that the scheme aimed to fulfil RBWM’s ambition to dramatically improve the connections between the railway station and the town centre, all in time for the arrival of Crossrail in 2019. Members were informed that ‘The Landing’ would help do this through:
- o New pedestrian routes through Lantern Circus.
o A revitalised ‘Oxford Circus-style’ crossing at King Street and Queen Street.
o A new retail passage through Nicholson’s car park, connecting The Landing to the Nicholson’s Shopping Centre and High Street.
o An improvement and extension scheme for the Nicholson’s car park, as well as new basement car parking.
- as it would not block views.
The Maidenhead Area Action Plan (AAP) – “reviving the character is the aim. Creating a sense of place, a destination – for shoppers, residents, businesses or visitors.”
That the Nicholson’s Shopping Centre was currently on the market.
That it would be one of the three focal points in the Town Centre that would deliver a new, very important piece of public space that would provide shelter / afternoon sunshine.
That it was planned to install very delicate lighting right across the key space.
That it was planned to create eateries, restaurants and cafes that would face onto Queen Street and King Street so they would look both ways.
That it was planned to use materials found in the town (brick, stone, wood and metal).
That there would be a main central space which would include bars, restaurants, shops, Reception spaces for offices and residential areas. It was noted that the buildings would ‘practically dance around the square’ and that the buildings would be made up of a variety of heights which would be staggered down to the conservation area.
That the model was currently in the exhibition space on Kings Street. It was noted that Ryger Maidenhead Ltd wanted to ensure that 4-5 hours of sunshine was achieved in lantern square from a wind and climatic perspective.
That Ryger Maidenhead Ltd were looking for contemporary detail and high quality craftsmanship by way of a powerful lining of the central space, metal to be used in the detail and simple paving.
That a three-day public exhibition on King Street presenting the proposals to the general public had taken place on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th October. It was noted that 527 people had been invited to attend over the three days along with a business class from Desborough College.
That 128 formal responses had been received and that the consultation would be kept open until the 20 October.
The feedback showed that in response to the question “Do you think Maidenhead Town Centre is in need of investment and regeneration?” 98% indicated yes.
The feedback showed that in response to the question “What do you think of the landing – our proposals to redevelop the Broadway site and kick-start regeneration in Maidenhead?” 92% indicated that they fully supported the proposal.
The feedback showed that in response to the question “What do you think of our plan to connect the station, the landing and the Town Centre with new and improved routes?” 93% supported (fully and broadly) this proposal.
The feedback showed that in response to the question “What do you think of the design and mix of uses, including new public space, offices, homes and retail?” 90% supported (fully and broadly) this proposal.
The feedback showed that in response to the question “What do you think of the proposals for a central public space at lantern circus and a contemporary design feature / bandstand – the lantern?” 92% supported (fully and broadly) this proposal.
Councillor Brimacombe stated that he wanted to see special accommodation built rather than two-bed small flats. David West responded by stating that they hoped the accommodation would be bigger than London standards and was planning quite generous and ambitious space with regard to ceiling heights and storage space. It was noted that whilst it had not yet been decided it was hoped that the residential accommodation would consist of a mixture of one and two bedroom homes with the possibility of some three bedroom homes.
Peter Sands (Chairman of Chamber of Commerce) stated that he was concerned about parking as he believed the office space alone could require 1000 spaces. Phil Brady responded by informing everyone present that there would be a 150 space basement car park in three of the units and that they had secured a partnership deal with the Nicholson’s Centre which would create an additional 400 spaces of which 200 would be allocated to offices Monday to Friday and 400 available for retail use at weekends.
David West informed Members that there was no viable market for a department store in Maidenhead at this moment.
It was noted that 10% of the development would be retail, 40% residential and 50% office space.
That it was not possible to expand retail space on the ground floor of the development without losing public realm.
Timings were looking like the detailed planning application to be submitted in November 2014, determination in March 2015 with the hope that diggers could be on site March / April 2016 with the earliest completion date being the end of 2018.
Rachel Cook informed Members that she liked the contemporary look with the natural element which she believed would attract people / groups into Maidenhead. It was questioned why more accommodation, rather than office space, was being planned. In response it was noted that there was a demand for the office space with Crossrail coming to Maidenhead.
It was suggested that the offices be made dual purpose as it had been seen done abroad.
The Regeneration and Economic Development Director, Chris Hilton, explained that whilst it would be easier to deliver residential accommodation in the current market the Council did not want to turn Maidenhead into a dormitory and lose companies, particularly large companies to help bring the growth element back into the town.
That a link road in Stafferton Way would be provided to help reduce the traffic flow into the Town Centre and create a link to the Station. It was noted that work to create these changes would start at the end of October and be completed nearer the end of 2015.
That there would be a new pedestrian access point near / through the Nicholson’s Centre on ground level that was hoped would increase footfall.
Councillor Sharma informed everyone present that a LGA document he had received this morning had stated there was a shortage of suitable office space in the South East so he felt what was being proposed was a wonderful opportunity and one that was long overdue.
The Vice-Chair encouraged everyone present to submit their ideas as to what could take place in the centre space / views on the proposal which Councillor Wilson endorsed.
ITEM SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE FORUMS
The Chairman informed everyone present that future meetings would be a forum where ideas could be put forward and discussed as decided as to whether they were believed to be feasible.
It was requested that item suggestions be emailed to tanya.leftwich@rbwm.gov.uk
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Members noted that the date of the next meeting would be confirmed by the Clerk.
MEETING
The meeting, which began at 6.30pm, ended at 7.50pm.