The developer behind big plans for Queensmere Observatory Shopping Centre will soon find themselves in a time crunch with planning permission.

Slough Borough Council granted ADIA (Abu Dhabi Investment Agency) permission to demolish the dated 1970s shopping centres in October 2022.

As with most plans, movement must be seen in a set period of time before the plans lapse and must be resubmitted.

A Slough Borough Council spokesperson said: “Planning permission lasts three years from the date of the decision notice, so for the ADIA development it has not expired yet.”

However, as of April this year, the plans have surpassed the halfway point of their eligibility.

If ADIA are yet to progress plans in October 2025, they will need to go back to the drawing board.

While it is evident that the western side of Queensmere was shut off in January 2023, it is understood that the plans for demolition have not yet been started.

READ MORE: Slough's Queensmere shopping centre a year on from partial closure

Since the partial closure of the shopping centre, Queensmere appears to be trapped in time, with elements falling into disrepair.

In August last year, it was revealed by Slough Council that the developer was reviewing the plans due to the "current economic situation".

A spokesperson added: “The council is in ongoing dialogue with ADIA and is pressing them to bring the scheme forward as proposed or to set out an alternative approach."

Financial insecurity was again blamed for delays in the plans at the tail end of 2023.

A spokesperson for British Land, acting on behalf of the developer, told The Observer: "The current economic climate is creating challenges for many town centre regeneration projects across the UK."

In March 2024, it was confirmed that government funding had been requested.

“ADIA are in constructive discussions regarding central government support for the scheme and we will update when these are concluded," a Slough Borough Council spokesperson said.

When approached for comment in June 2024, British Land has remained tight-lipped on developments, but says they are working "proactively" with the council.

In the meantime, seven empty units are on the market as the current owners seek to retain footfall in the centre.

READ MORE: New shops sought for seven units within Slough Shopping Centre

Several big names have left the shopping centre this year, including Ernest Jones and Footlocker - the latter having moved out onto the High Street.

It is believed by many retailers in the precinct that the next steps of the plans would see a further closure rolled out in the shopping centre, as shops squeeze further toward the Observatory.

The plans for the town centre transformation were first announced in 2017.

Known as 'Slough Central' the two shopping centres are to be demolished to build over a thousand new homes, along with shops, offices, and public open space.

Original plans showed how the 1970s shopping centre would be transformed with a 14-year phased redevelopment into the "civic heart" of Slough.