Cabinet considered the report regarding the delivery of the new Broadway Car Park.

Leader of the Council and Chairman of Cabinet, Business, Economic Development and Property informed Cabinet that they had approved the development of a new multi-storey car park to replace the current Nicholson’s Car Park in September 2018.

The initial budget of £35,313,163 was approved from which £470,000 was vired to fund legal, valuation and project management fees to negotiate the land sale agreements for the sale of Nicholson’s Centre freehold, Central House land Freehold and land swap of the Broadway Car Park in April 2019 and a further £480,000 was vired to fund associated Covid cost at Braywick Park in June 2020.

The car park was being delivered as part of the wider Nicholson’s Quarter Masterplan. The initial planning application was submitted to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) in May 2020 following public consultation and pre-application advice from the LPA. Following further consultation and feedback a revised application was submitted in November 2020.

The Council had agreed to enter into a new 125 year lease to enable Denhead S.A.R.L. to construct a self-contained basement car park beneath the MSCP at its own cost and a separate 50 year lease over 188 car parking spaces in the upper level on commercial rental basis, subject to a break option in the favour of the council after 30 years.

A new facility would be provided for Maidenhead Shopmobility and Changing Places on the ground floor of the car park along with active units for commercial uses on both Brock Lane and Broadway.

Mr Hill addressed Cabinet and said that this application was huge and questioned how members had not taken a predetermined view as this scheme was an important part of the biggest changes to the town centre.  It was a shame that Denhead S.A.R.L. had not attended the BLP hearing meetings so show what their vision was.  He asked if the 125 year lease was subject to planning, how much were they paying and when was it entered into.   He also mentioned that there would be a special planning meeting taking place in quarter 4, was this a mistake.  He also referenced the heritage centre as they had not agreed to any of the offers to move.

The Chairman replied that just because it was an important application we should not suggest that there has been any predetermination.  With regards to the Heritage Centre there had been communication with them and a potential offer of an alternative site was made. They never responded to the offer so it had been rescinded, however, for the foreseeable future the centre would remain at its current location.  If there was a need to move in the future we would discuss alternative locations.

The Managing director of the RBWM Property Company informed that no leases had been entered into and that they would not be until planning consent had been granted and the car park was built.  With regards to planning it was proposed to go on 3rd March 2021. 

Cllr Singh mentioned that with regards to the Heritage Centre it has been mentioned that no offer for an alternative location had been accepted and that there was no threat of them being moved, however they were part of phase two.  He also raised concern about the loss of short term parking and that there were a lot of flats being built without parking.   There had been a commitment to build a new car park before this one was demolished. 

The Chairman replied that there had been a commitment to build a new car park first but he would remember the meeting where it had been agreed to shorten the overall development time by adopting this new approach to shorten the construction program and minimize disruption to the town.  He could not go onto too much detail as there was a planning application to be determined.  With regards to new build not having parking hem mentioned his new party supported less traffic within the town centre and alternative forms of transport. 

Cabinet were also informed that the Heritage Centre was in phase three of the York Road Development so no need to be vacant until 2024-25 so alternative locations could be considered.

Resolved unanimously:  that Cabinet notes the report and:

          I.        Approves entering into the Development Agreement with Denhead S.A.R.L. that commits the Council to delivering the new Broadway Car Park and leasing the podium space above the car park entrance in line with submitted plans.

         II.        Approves obtaining vacant possession of Siena Court and accepting a surrender of the lease from Broadway Centre Limited.

        III.        Approves entering into a new 50-year lease over 188 car parking spaces to Denhead S.A.R.L on commercial terms subject to a break after 30 year in favour of the Council and the retention of the ability to redevelop the site in the future.

       IV.        Approves rescinding the previous offers of accommodation within the new development made to the Maidenhead Community Centre and Maidenhead Heritage Centre.

        V.        Approves the leasing of a new facility to Maidenhead ShopMobility at a peppercorn rent.

       VI.        Approves leasing the remaining space on the ground floor on commercial basis to generate revenue income for the Council.

      VII.        Delegate’s authority to the Managing Director, in consultation with the Lead Member for Business, Economic Development & Property to conclude the Development Agreement and appropriate leasing contracts.