Worry over quality of flats application
St Mark’s: Flaws in plan for apartments and two shops on site
A plan for 20 flats and two shops in Maidenhead was turned down by the council last week – with strong words levelled against the applicant for what councillors saw as an inadequate submission.
This plan for 14 one-bedroom and six two-bed flats in St Marks Crescent was recommended for refusal by council officers.
Officers said that while the ‘principle’ was ‘acceptable’, the plans offered an ‘unacceptable standard’ of accommodation, given the high number of one-bed flats.
Even though six of the one-bed flats were set to be affordable, ‘the absence of a completed legal agreement [means] the application fails to secure the required affordable housing.’
There were several other problems highlighted in the officer report, including lack of light, encroachment of privacy for neighbours and lack of evidence
to support the application. The proposed development would also fail to provide off-street car parking and cycle provision.
In all, the officers noted nine reasons why it recommended the plans for refusal.
At the Maidenhead Development Management Committee on Wednesday, March 15, neighbours and panel members added their own thoughts on the plans.
Residents raised concerns over existing traffic problems on the road, the number of parking spaces offered and safety risks due to low visibility for drivers.
Councillor Helen Taylor (TBFI, Oldfield) visited as a member of the public to give her views on the plans.
She described it as ‘a gross overdevelopment’ of this plot of land – and said the plans have fetched about 40 public objections.
“Parking is already a huge issue in this area,” she said. “The narrowest point of this road is very unsafe.”
Panel members noted how ‘cramped’ and ‘out of character’ the proposals would be.
They also shared the view that the application did not seem ready to come to the council for consideration.
Cllr Josh Reynolds (Lib Dem, Furze Platt) described this as ‘really not enough’ and ‘disappointing’.
“To be honest, it feel like the developer is taking they mick,” he said. “This developer has a complete lack of respect for the council.”
Councillors voted seven-to-one (with one abstention) in favour of refusing the application.
To see the plans for this site, enter reference 23/00043/FULL into the Borough's planning portal.