Doubt has been cast over the future of a major regeneration project for hundreds of homes, dozens of shops and restaurants in Maidenhead as council reports appear to suggest at least some of it may not go ahead.

Property developer Areli has insisted that it is committed to building the Nicholson Quarter in Maidenhead town centre. Plans involve demolishing the Nicholsons shopping centre and building 650 homes, 60 spaces for shops, bars and restaurants, and office space.

But a recently published Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council finance report says it is ‘not necessarily the case’ that the Nicholsons Broadway Car Park will be replaced with a new building.

And council leader Simon Werner warned discussions between the Royal Borough and Areli were in a ‘watch this space position’.

The council agreed with developers in 2020 that it would hand over the Nicholsons Broadway car park land in return for similar-sized land in the new development.

Council leaders then agreed in January 2021 that the Royal Borough would build a new multi-storey car park, but lease the upper two levels to developers as well as the basement for their own separately constructed parking.

The Broadway car park was closed in December 2022 after parts of the ceiling broke down, and demolition began in January this year.

But a report presented to council leaders on Wednesday October 2 suggested there was uncertainty surrounding the car park’s replacement.

The report suggests some £200,000 of demolition costs have been paid for out of its capital budget. This is used for major works and is separate to the revenue budget that pays for day-to-day spending.

But the report says this is only allowed ‘if there is a clear plan for construction of a new asset’. It adds that this is ‘not necessarily the case’. That would mean the £200,000 would have to be paid for from the council’s revenue budget, adding to its financial woes.

Areli said it was ‘committed’ to the Nicholsons Quarter development and hoped to begin construction work at the end of next year.

But it also said it was working on changes to the plans which it would soon make public. It did not say what these changes might be, or what the discussions with the council involve.

A spokesperson said: “We are continuing to work alongside the council since consent was granted in 2021 and have been exploring amendments to the plans in response to feedback and the changes in how people live and work, to maximise the scheme's positive impact and to support its delivery. We are planning to present these changes to the public before the end of the year.

“Working together with the council, we are committed to delivering the Nicholson Quarter, which has been shaped through extensive public engagement, and will be a transformational scheme for borough residents and visitors to Maidenhead.”

The council has not yet responded to a request for comment.