Fear block cramps redevelopment plan
‘No’ to 10-storey tower by Queensmere Observatory
Plans for a 10-storey block of apartments in Slough town centre have been refused due to its potential impact on the Queensmere Observatory shopping centre redevelopment.
Applicant CG Slough 2 Ltd submitted proposals to the council to build 29 apartments, known as Verona 2, next to the Verona Apartments in Wellington Street.
During a meeting of Slough Borough Council’s planning committee on Wednesday, planning officer Michael Scott raised concerns over how close the proposed scheme could be to Queensmere Observatory car park which is due to undergo a major overhaul.
He said: “What we have is a scheme which we believe stands as a single piecemeal form of development on a very small plot of land.
“We believe that in the context of seeing a scheme in that close proximity to the shopping centre, it will prejudice the layout of a scheme we have yet to see.
“This scheme is out of character with the context and prejudicial to the future comprehensive development of this part of the town centre.”
Developer British Land has been granted outline planning permission to redevelop Slough’s ageing shopping centres on behalf of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.
The scheme could feature apartment blocks up to 19 storeys but progress has stalled in recent months.
British Land has been warned by the council its planning permission will not be extended if plans are not brought forward soon.
A spokesperson for Tetra Tech, representing the applicant for the Verona 2 apartment block, said the proposed building would be considerably smaller than homes which have been approved as part of the Queensmere Observatory overhaul.
The spokesperson said: “The proposed 10-storey height is considered acceptable in its local context in being similar in height to the adjoining Verona Apartments.
“The report fails to identify that buildings of 19 storeys have been approved in the redevelopment of Queensmere Shopping Centre so the local context of building heights will change significantly in years to come. The main point of concern relates to the potential to prejudice future redevelopment of the Observatory Shopping Centre. Development on this land can easily co-exist with the development being proposed.”
Labour councillor Pavitar Kaur Mann told the meeting that while the plans looked to make use of a ‘redundant’ site, the council should not just accept any proposals which are made.
Conservative councillor Adil Iftakhar, chairman of the planning committee, added: “This in my opinion would be a cramped form of development and an overdevelopment of the site.”
Councillors voted unanimously to refuse the plans.
Slough Urban Renewal secured planning permission to build 33 homes at the former Haymill Centre site, near Littlebrook Avenue.
The brownfield site, near Haybrook College, is currently unused and nine two-bedroom, 20 three-bedroom and a quartet of four-bedrooms homes are set to be built there.