Slough Legion Hall to be demolished into flats despite parking fears

The Lady Haig Club on Stoke Road, which is nearly 100 years old, is to be bulldozed and replaced by two blocks up to six-storeys in height to hold 12 studio flats, 11 one-beds, and 34 two-bedroom apartments – eight of which are affordable.

Developer Malhi, Goldbridge Construction Limited also proposed 37 car parking spaces, electric charging points, private balconies, and community space. It will also make an £86,000 financial contribution for highway improvements and introduce a car club scheme.

Previous planning permission was granted in 2017 for 39 flats but the applicant did not implement the approval until early 2020 and could not lawfully begin construction in time before permission lapsed.

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The agent for the application told councillors sitting on the planning committee the previous scheme failed for “various reasons,” but the revised scheme is “high quality” and will “enhance” the street scene.

While the scheme was recommended for approval by officers, councillors were “baffled” that there was a parcel of land not part of the proposal but within the application and wondered what the developer would do with it.

CGI of the two apartment blocks

Cllr Haqeeq Dar (Lab: Wexham Lea) said that bit of land should be used as another car park as he feared the 37 proposed spaces are not enough and could cause pressure on the road. He was also concerned the developer could add another apartment block that will further add pressure to the road.

He said at the meeting on Tuesday, July 26: “If we look at Mill Street, especially on Sunday mornings, you can’t get through. This is just going to add and to see that plot of land at the back, I’m not happy.

“That should be used for parking for the apartment’s purposes. Are they holding it for another block? My concerns are that parking there is horrendous in that area and it’s going to get worst.”

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Officers have said they have pressured the developer to add more car parking bays. They felt these 37 spaces are sufficient enough as the site is located near the High Street as well as public transport links that reduce the need for private car ownership.

There is also a condition attached to the scheme requiring the developer to tell the council what they plan to do with that land once they reach a decision.

Despite the concerns, councillors unanimously approved the scheme.