Two months until main decision date
Maidenhead: Nicholson Quarter plans revealed in February
Plans for the Nicholsons Centre redevelopment could come before the planning committee in early February.
The date was announced by developer Areli Real Estate via a public webinar held over Zoom on Tuesday, which gave people the chance to review revised plans and ask questions.
Presenting the proposals to the virtual audience, Areli partner Rob Tincknell announced February 3 as the potential decision date for the ‘Nicholson Quarter’ plans.
The £500million proposals will see the Nicholsons Centre torn down and replaced with a new complex.
“Our high streets are changing; we need to get people back living and working in our town centres,” Mr Tincknell
told the webinar.
“I am not going to say this is going to be easy, but we are committed to a vibrant town centre for Maidenhead.”
Areli’s plans were recently altered, including a reduction in the car park storeys and revised heights to three zones in the scheme.
Mr Tincknell and a panel associated with the development faced questions from people attending the Zoom meeting.
Concerns were raised over the reduction in car park height, with less parking spaces now being proposed.
Mr Tincknell said that the existing car park ‘rarely gets full’, and claimed Areli has conducted ‘a huge amount of traffic studies’.
He added: “Maidenhead is moving towards a more sustainable future, is it right to have a 1,000-space car park in the middle of town?”
Maidenhead Civic Society’s Bob Dulson asked questions over the height of the tallest building – 25 storeys – asking whether ‘it has to be high to be viable’.
Mr Tincknell replied: “60 per cent [of people] voted for the 25-storey building.
“I know it is different, and we appreciate it is something new in Maidenhead, but I really think this is something we will be very proud of.”
At the end of the meeting, a question was asked about
amenities, including schools and doctors surgeries.
Mr Tincknell said he was
‘not quite sure’ the development would be the best location for a school, but that there was the possibility of including a community centre –
and the heritage centre – within the scheme.
“As we go forward, these type of opportunities will start to arise,” he added.
Areli hopes to start work on site in early 2022, with a targeted completion date of 2025.