To receive an update on the St Cloud – Magnet Leisure Centre development.

Malcolm Wood, Project Director – Countryside Partnerships, and Grace Alderson, Senior Development Manager – Countryside Partnerships, gave a presentation explaining the overview on the project. Giving some background, the development had been going on for 4-to-5 years and Saint-Cloud Way was part of the Royal Borough Development Partnership (established in 2017).

Grace Alderson explained that the scheme was permitted in Summer 2022 and started with the removal of the footbridge over Saint-Cloud Way and then the demolition of the Magnet Leisure Centre. The development would consist of 434 homes spread across five development blocks. The development would be split into 2 phases with the southern blocks being developed first followed by the northern blocks. The key features were:

·       The 434 homes would include 87 affordable homes for local people; meanwhile the 87 affordable homes would include 33 affordable rent homes and 54 shared ownership homes.

·       There would be improved connectivity by utilising the Missing Links connection to encourage sustainable forms of transport. The former Saint-Cloud Way footbridge had been replaced by an accessible at grade crossing. There would also be improvements to the existing subway.

·       A total of 346 parking spaces on the site, including electric car charging ports and a car club.

·       The design of the site incorporated a range of outdoor immunity space with each household having private outdoor space (either a terrace or balcony), mixed tenure podium courtyard spaces, and an open space (including a children’s play space).

In terms of the construction timeline:

·       Autumn 2022: Phase 1, start of development.

·       Summer 2024: Private sales launch.

·       Spring 2025: First private and affordable homes delivered.

·       Autumn 2025: Affordable homes to be completed.

·       Summer 2028: Phase 1 homes to be completed.

Grace Alderson also displayed some images on the progress of the development work.

Countryside Partnerships sought to work in the community and promoted social value during its development, which included:

·       Ensuring regular contact and engagement with local stakeholders and local residents and neighbours,

·       Quarterly construction newsletters were distributed to local residents to provide an update on construction progress,

·       Local residents being invited to ‘Meet the Builders’ events and be given an opportunity to ask questions,

·       Appointing a dedicated Community Liaison Officer, Kat Robinson, who oversaw the site and was on-hand to respond to any queries or concerns from residents,

·       The construction team and subcontractors installing a new sandpit and help out with electrical works the nearby Beehive nursery,

·       Rolling out a virtual work experience programme to local schools on the house building industry,

·       Providing apprenticeship funding for local students.

Alongside the voluntary social engagement, Countryside Partnerships had Section 106 commitments which were agreed during the planning process which was then used to contribute towards improving the local area, totalling to £1.133 million. A couple of contributions – Off-Site Highway Contribution and Travel Plan Contribution – had already been paid for early on in the scheme.

Councillor Reynolds conveyed some resident comments on some of the contractors parking in residential roads and wondered whether Countryside Partnerships were aware of this and whether there were any mitigation methods.Malcolm Wood informed that a couple of complaints had been received since construction on contractor parking in residential areas. In response to this, Countryside Partnerships informed on-site workers during site inductions to not park on residential roads and encourage them to use sustainable transportation. He encouraged issues by residents to be raised with Countryside Partnerships so that they could deal with them.

Councillor Baskerville asked about Missing Links connection. Malcolm Wood explained that Missing Links was a Council initiative to promote cycling as well as make links between various cycle routes; for example, Countryside Partnerships sought to create a cycle route through the site and linked up to Kidwell’s Park. Missing Links also sought to create safer cycling infrastructure.

Councillor Baskerville then asked about the outdoor space. Malcolm Wood stated that the open spaces included the main pedestrian areas which would be publicly accessible as well as be constantly maintained by a management company. There would also be some green spaces within the middle of the podium blocks which would be accessible for all residents of the scheme. Some residents would have a private garden, terrace or balcony. Parking would mostly be underground to provide further green and pedestrian space.

Councillor Douglas asked how the project would affect the lorries at Holmanleaze, Maidenhead Mosque and Ivy Leaf Club as it developed over time. Grace Alderson replied that Holmanleaze would remain accessible as the building works take place in the eastern part of the site. However, once construction of the eastern side was completed, construction access would be moved to the northern part of the site.

Councillor Douglas then asked for clarification on whether lorries would come into Kennet Road during the construction phase. Grace Alderson replied that the northern entrance. Malcolm Wood added that the movement of lorries were mostly related to the digging of the car park and thus sought to keep materials on site to minimise movements.

The Chair asked whether Countryside Partnerships were recruiting more students for work experience, apprentices or local staff. Grace Alderson replied that they were, saying that they were always looking for new opportunities. When asked by the Chair on how locals could find them, Grace Alderson replied that there were notice boards on site and a website with contact details.

The Chair then asked whether Countryside Partnerships were involved in the nearby Maidenhead Festival in Kidwells. Malcolm Wood answered that they were not attending a festival in 2024 despite having attended the festival on previous occasions, though they may still visit.

The Chair then asked whether the project was on target, whether there was any potential to reduce the timespan and whether the Borough could help with this. Malcolm Wood responded that the Borough was already helping with road traffic and access, and the project was meeting its ambitious timetable target despite, for example, weather patterns.

The Chair then asked if Countryside Partnerships had any future plans. Malcolm Wood said that Countryside Partnerships regularly met with the Royal Borough Development Partnership which included RBWM and other councils, presenting updates of Countryside Partnerships’ activities. Alongside development works at Saint-Cloud Way, there were also two other sites within the Borough framework agreement.

(Malcolm Wood and Grace Alderson left the meeting at 7:29pm)