An ambitious plan to redevelop Stoke Wharf - the terminus of the Slough arm of the Grand Union Canal - seems set to become a reality.

For decades the canal has been hidden behind the Travis Perkins builder’s yard on Stoke Road, neglected until its recent clean up by the Canal & River Trust.

Now the Slough Urban Renewal body - made up of a partnership between Slough Borough Council and Morgan Sindall Investments - has formalised plans to work with specialist waterside developers Waterside Places to completely regenerate the Stoke Wharf area, including the canal and towpath and part of Bowyer Field which is owned by the Council.

As part of SUR’s work to create new homes in the borough over 200 apartments and 40 houses are planned on the site. The homes will be surrounded by extensive public open space in the reinvigorated park and alongside the canal. SUR also plans to deliver a shop, café and community hub overlooking the canal.

National urban regeneration specialist Muse Developments and the Canal & River Trust are also involved in the plan.

Andy Howell, General Manager of SUR, said: “Working with Waterside Places we hope to transform this location by providing a range of high-quality new homes set within large areas of open space and public realm. Our proposals will create a community, enhance the public space and improve access to the waterway to encourage new activity in this area.”

Mike Auger, Director at Waterside Places, said: “We’re delighted to be joining together with SUR and look forward to working closely with them to deliver transformational regeneration at Stoke Wharf.

“Our primary focus is to deliver a high-quality, urban waterfront scheme that will create a vibrant, diverse new community in Slough, while unlocking this area of the Grand Union Canal for more people to enjoy.”

SUR will be developing its proposals in 2019 and this will include a public consultation as part of the planning process.