Maidenhead town centre redevelopment gets the go ahead
Developers will be asked to make a contribution towards improving several town centre car parks
Councillors have unanimously approved the £500million Nicholsons Centre redevelopment – but only if the developer contributes to bringing Maidenhead’s car parks back to a ‘safe standard’.
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead said the approval was subject to a Section 106 agreement in which the council would seek a financial contribution towards improving car parks in the area.
An updated application submitted earlier this year, sought to build 856 residential units, a multi-storey car park with 452 spaces, retail and green spaces.
In September, councillors asked for more details around car parking, fire safety provisions, and the reduction in retail spaces.
A public square named after Sir Nicholas Winton - who lived in the town and is often dubbed the "British Schindler" for saving Jewish children during World War Two - will become Maidenhead's "new centre stage", developers said.
A meeting in Maidenhead Town Hall heard that fire safety is adequate, with dual staircases to be installed and evacuation routes for each dwelling.
New conditions to provide public toilets as part of the scheme, a construction environmental management plan and an events programme for the Nicholsons Centre were also included.
Ultimately, councillors approved the proposal, but only if an agreement for the car park improvements is also reached.
A string of other conditions includes the use of varied building materials, CCTV, landscaping and public art displays during the construction period.