OVER 200 houses could be built on the former Montem Leisure Centre site if Slough councillors give approval at next week’s planning committee.

Following its demolition in 2019, developers want to redevelop the land the centre once stood on and two houses on Montem Lane into 212 new homes.

There would be 11 apartment blocks and 25 houses.

The houses will mostly be semi-detached plus ‘a few’ detached and terraced homes.

The apartments are arranged in blocks of three and four-storeys in height plus one small two-storey block. The new houses will be two-storeys in height.

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The housing will be a mix of:

  • 68 one-bed apartments
  • 119 two-bed apartments
  • 25 three-bed houses

Slough Observer:

The applicant has offered 10 per cent affordable housing – but negotiations regarding the level and type of affordable housing are ongoing between developers and planning officers.

Over 200 car parking are proposed and each house will have an electric charging point and apartment parking will have one charging point per 10 spaces.

The nearby woodland, meadow, and streamside areas are to be retained and proposed for “enhancements”.

Residents of Seymour Road, which sits behind the site, objected to the plans on the grounds this development would cause more traffic and parking by non-residents, making the street “dangerous”.

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In response, the applicant said: “The proposed development would not generate more traffic in Seymour Rd. There is a very low expectation of any overflow parking from the new homes taking place in Seymour Road or adjacent streets. The site access on Montem Lane is a long way from Seymour Road by road.”

Members of the planning committee, who will meet on January 13 (Wednesday), have been recommended to approve the application by planning officers subject to the developers completing their section 106 agreement and finalising and resolving conditions and minor changes.

Slough Observer:

Montem Leisure Centre closed its doors in March 2019 when it was replaced by a new £18.5 million facility called The Centre on Farnham Road.

The site’s car park has been used by council staff and as parent parking for Claycotts School since closure – but is now being used as a Covid-19 test centre.