Major Slough shopping centre revamp plans close to reality

Up to 1,600 flats, 12,000sqm for retail and leisure, 40,000sqm of office space, a new town square, 685 car parking spaces – including a multi-storey car park, 4.7 acres of public open space, new green routes and connections, and potential space for live music or small cinema could all be seen within the town centre in the years to come.

Developer British Land had its outline plans, which means it is seeking permission from Slough Borough Council with the development in principle before a full application is submitted, approved by councillors sitting on the planning committee.

Along with the demolition of the Queensmere shopping centre, Dukes House, Wellington House, 141, 143, 145, and 165 High Street will also be redeveloped. The development as a whole could take 13 years to complete.

Queensmere shopping centre (Image: .)

The height of the buildings will start from six-storeys and will gradually step up to 12-storeys as you further move into the revamped town centre. The highest buildings will be in the centre, reaching 19-storeys.

Speaking at the meeting on Thursday, September 29, planning officer Neil Button said the redevelopment will make the shopping centre “smaller,” but it will be more “revitalised” that will have more leisure facilities and an improved environment.

READ MORE: Sports Direct to be impacted by Slough's Queensmere partial closure

Meanwhile, highway officers said pressure on the town centre roads is already at full capacity and there’s “no way” of addressing that – with adding new lanes not being “feasible”. They think this will help force people to take up public and sustainable transport rather than use a private vehicle – especially during school runs.

They also think the up to 685 car parking spaces is a “good balance” considering the council’s policy for town centre residential developments doesn’t require developers to add parking bays.

The green streets in the revamped town centre (Image: Slough Borough Council)

Development Director at British Land, Russell O’Hare, said their plans will transform the “outdated” 1970s shopping centre into a “modern and a thriving town centre” with a new heart for the community to enjoy.

Members heard that economic forecasts show this major revamp will add about £45m per year into the Slough economy.

Mr O’Hare said: “[The development] will provide Slough with its greatest potential economic boost in growth opportunity in and around the town centre for generations to come.”

Whilst 12.5 per cent of the homes will be affordable, this is still way below the council’s policy of thirty per cent for large-scale development. Mr O’Hare said it is “unviable” to add more but will have review mechanisms in place to see if they could add more affordable homes.

Slough Central

Cllr Safdar Ali (Lab), who represents the town centre, outlined concerns over the height of the buildings and the long 13-year disruption it will to residents and businesses.

He said: “I hope the developer will not use this planning application and sit on it for another three or four years and develop it as soon as possible and definitely won’t sell it to someone else once planning permission is granted and the value is increased.”

Cllr Harjinder Gahir (Lab: Wexham Lea), who said this was the “biggest development in Slough,” echoed Cllr Ali’s concerns, fearing the new buildings’ designs and height will “change the look of the town”.

British Land is also eyeing to redevelop the Observatory shopping centre, but a planning application won’t be submitted until 2030. Cllr Ali believed this should be transformed in conjunction with Queensmere as it could take 25 years in total to revamp the whole of the town centre.

Cllr Ali added: “I will probably be dead by then.”

READ MORE: Councillor fears Slough town centre will become "concrete jungle"

Planning officers say 13 years of development is indicative but is a short time for such a large step change for Slough. However, pop-up shops, a temporary town centre, and meanwhile leisure and educational facilities will be seen during the development to maintain vibrancy in the town centre.

While concerns about the development were voiced, some councillors voiced their support of the scheme.

Cllr Pavitar Kaur Mann (Lab: Britwell & Northborough), lead member for planning, said: “This scheme, this site, and the importance of our town centre represents a truly transformational opportunity for our town and much-needed regeneration of our town centre.

“Those of us who live here have long known it has been in decline and there is universal recognition that something needs to be done.”

The plans will now be decided by the council’s planning manager and are subject to British Land completing its obligations to the council, such as securing £3.5m towards making sustainable transport improvements within the town centre, such as improving public transport and adding controlled parking zones.