To receive an update on the progress of the site from Victoria Manston.

Victoria Manston, Senior Development Manager at Hub Residential, gave the Forum a presentation on the latest developments at the Landings site in Maidenhead. Initial works on phase 1 had started in October 2021, with the main contract work starting in December 2021. The main contractor was JJ Rhatigan, phase 1 consisted of the residential element which was 420 homes across 4 blocks, which included 4 ground floor commercial units. The garden square was in the centre of the scheme, all of the homes would be for rent and would be managed by Get Living. The scheme was due to be delivered in four phases, with the target delivery date being between February and October 2024. The contractor was doing a lot of work in the local community, taking part in the recent pancake day race in the town centre and also sponsoring one of Maidenhead United’s recent matches, against Boreham Wood in the National League. Work was also being done with local charities and there would be opportunities to work with local schools too.

Councillor Singh said that he had originally seen plans to link the site with the development which would soon be commencing at the Nicholsons Quarter, he asked if the contractors would be working in partnership with Areli.

Victoria Manston said that there would be connections through the site, from the train station into the town centre. There were not any plans currently to link with the Nicholsons site.

Councillor Singh asked if there were any plans to create artwork on the hoardings surrounding the site, to build on the mural which was currently already there and had been created by local artist James Maddison.

Victoria Manston said that local schools had been approached for interest in an arts project to decorate the hoardings. Information on the ‘Make Maidenhead’ campaign would also be displayed.

Councillor Singh asked about the commercial units and what this retail offering might be.

Victoria Manston said that the current vision was for two restaurants or light refreshment venues and two retails units. Get Living would be considering appropriate tenants and this would be confirmed in due course.

Councillor Baldwin asked about the Nicholsons development and said that Areli had promised to involve local stakeholders on sustainability, however there had been little communication on this so far.

The Chairman said that Areli would be able to answer this question, he would be happy to invite the developers to a future meeting.

ACTION – Invite Areli to the next meeting of Maidenhead Town Forum.

Councillor Singh asked when the first phase of the development would be completed. He asked if works were progressing as planned.

He was informed that it was planned for completion by February 2024 and would involve a large proportion of the garden square being completed. Works had been progressing on schedule, so far.

Councillor Singh mentioned the 278 works, he asked if there was anything the council could do to assist.

Victoria Manston said that the designs for the 278 works would be drawn up by the developer shortly. These works needed to be delivered as part of the first phase.

Councillor Taylor said that there was a huge amount of interest in the site. She asked if there was the possibility of having Perspex windows in the hoardings so that residents could see the progress of construction. Councillor Taylor had noted that some residents were using the top of the car park, this could be a safer way of seeing into the site.

Victoria Manston said that a see-through window was part of the hoarding mural on Queen Street, she would speak to the developers about the potential for more windows to be added to the hoardings around the site.

ACTION – Victoria Manston to speak to developers about the potential to have more see through hoardings around the Landings site.