Makeover at former Three HQ approved
Town centre: Go-ahead for refurbishment of Star House
Plans to refurbish Star House in Maidenhead town centre were given unanimous backing from councillors at a meeting last week.
Members of the Royal Borough council's planning panel met at Maidenhead Town Hall to discuss plans for the building in Grenfell Road.
A planning application from Legal and General to redevelop the ‘outdated’ site was submitted in May, after mobile service Three UK left the building in March.
Proposals had no issue getting through the planning panel on Wednesday, with all voting councillors deciding to back planning officers’ recommendations and approve the plans.
The planning report stated that the refurbishment will result in ‘significant improvements in the architecture and immediate surroundings of the office building’, and ‘enhance the quality of a key gateway into Maidenhead’.
Plans involve extending the building to add 1,457sqm of floorspace, removing the existing vehicle turning circle and repositioning the approach lane, and
installing rooftop terraces.
There will be a new cafe at ground level, while car parking spaces will be reduced from 199 spots to
176 (18 electric and nine for wheelchair users), and there will also be 153 cycle spaces.
Vehicular access to the site will continue from Keys Place via the undercroft route running beneath the Odeon cinema and the
David Lloyd gym.
Environmentally, developers are hoping to achieve a ‘39 per cent reduction in carbon emissions’ through ‘low and zero carbon technologies’.
At the meeting, ward councillor Donna Stimson (Con, St Mary’s), lead member for climate change, said via a public speech that she was ‘really excited about this application’, adding her appreciation for the building’s environmentallyfriendly nature.
Lib Dem councillors John Baldwin (Belmont) and Amy Tisi (Clewer East) were also in favour of the plans, with the former putting forward a motion to approve them, which was seconded by Cllr Tisi.
“I think this is a really good example of re-using an existing building,” Cllr Tisi said.
“I am hoping that this will inspire other developers to do the same.”
After the meeting, Simon Wilkes, head of development at Legal & General, said: “We’re delighted to have received unanimous planning approval for Star House – it’s truly testament to the quality and ambition of our proposals.
“Set to become one of the greenest buildings in the Thames Valley, it’s also estimated that £111million in social value will be generated over the development lifecycle – bringing significant benefits to the wider community.
“Situated within the heart of Maidenhead, this designled redevelopment will help to drive health, satisfaction and wellbeing.”
Upon completion, the office building will be available to rent for businesses, but would not be occupied by Legal & General itself.