To consider a general update on regeneration across Maidenhead, including progress on the Vicus Way car park.

Ian Brazier-Dubber, Managing Director of RBWM Property Company, gave the Forum an update on various projects around the town. The car park in Vicus Way was now complete and would be opening shortly, it had been constructed within the anticipated time frame. On the Nicholsons Shopping Centre, the Property Company had received consent of the planning scheme to go ahead and there had been three days held for a public enquiry to confirm the Compulsory Purchase Orders. There was hope that a decision from the planning inspector would be communicated before Christmas but this could be received in early 2023. Should things progress as planned, the developers would be able to start on site in the autumn of 2023.

Over the summer, RBWM completed the sale of the Magnet Leisure Centre to the property partners for the site. The bridge over the A4, between the leisure centre and Sainsbury’s car park, had been removed at the end of October. The site would become 351 residential units, of which 87 would be affordable units. Full demolition would be complete in January 2023, with a view for phase 1 of the site to be complete by summer 2025.

Councillor Baldwin asked what would happen to plans for the Nicholsons Shopping Centre, should RBWM not get the result they were hoping for from the planning inspector.

Ian Brazier-Dubber explained that the Compulsory Purchase Order was an independent decision, if the planning inspector decided that the order could not be granted, then the council would need to reconsider their plans for the centre and how to take the scheme forward. Planning consent for the scheme would remain in place.

Councillor Taylor mentioned the Vicus Way car park, concern had been raised by residents about how dark some areas of the road were. She asked if there was a condition in the planning permission which meant that the developers were required to add some additional lighting to the street.

Ian Brazier-Dubber said that the addition of two streetlights was part of the planning application, he would check this after the meeting.

ACTION – Ian Brazier-Dubber to check the condition on the Vicus Way car park planning permission and let Councillor Taylor know.

Councillor Taylor commented on the removal of the footbridge over the A4, from the road the covering over the opening where the bridge used to be looked temporary. She asked if there were any plans to improve this.

Ian Brazier-Dubber said that the second phase of the work would involve a permanent piece of the façade to cover the hole, this would fit in with the rest of the building.

Councillor G Jones felt that the side of the Sainsbury’s building was outdated and could do with some maintenance.

Ian Brazier-Dubber said that he had been involved in some initial discussions about this, Sainsbury’s would need planning consent to do work on the cladding.

Councillor Singh added that the cladding needed to be replaced due to no longer meeting health and safety requirements. It was good to hear that Vicus Way car park was complete, he asked what the final cost of the project had been and how many EV charging points would be in place.

Ian Brazier-Dubber confirmed that the budget for the car park was £12 million, it had been completed at a cost of £11.9 million and therefore had been completed under budget. There would be 53 EV charging points, with a total of around 500 spaces.

Councillor Singh questioned whether this was too low, as the sale of new petrol and diesel cars would be banned from 2030.

Ian Brazier-Dubber explained that EV charging points were expensive to install and also the supply of electricity to the car park needed to be considered.

Councillor Singh asked how many affordable units would be part of the landings development.

Ian Brazier-Dubber said that the Landings development was a ‘build to rent’ scheme, all properties would be rented on the open market at market rent.

Councillor Singh commented on the Compulsory Purchase Orders and he had heard that some of the objectors were considered a judicial review. He asked what the process would be.

Ian Brazier-Dubber said that there was 42 days after planning consent was granted for someone to make a judicial review. However, these reviews were considering how decisions were made.

Councillor Singh highlighted that the lights on Marlow Road by the community centre had been switched off, it would be useful to turn these lights back on to improve safety in the area.

ACTION – Ian Brazier-Dubber to enquire about the streetlights in this area and report back to Councillor Singh.

Councillor Bond asked about the proposed pedestrian crossing on St Cloud Way, which would be replacing the footbridge which had now been removed. He asked if this was planned to be for pedestrians only, or pedestrians and cyclists. Councillor Bond queried whether the footpath would link to the entrance of Sainsbury’s, as this was currently not possible unless residents walked along the verge of the road.

Ian Brazier-Dubber said that through section 106 funding received from the development, the crossing could be funded. He understood that the crossing would be for use by both pedestrians and cyclists.