Agenda item

JW tabled the updated action plan for the Canal and confirmed that there has been no submission for pre-app advice or planning yet from the Slough Regeneration Partnership.  JW explained the successful bid to the Tesco Community Fund (Bags For Help) gaining £8K towards the works and the works that have been undertaken to clear the canal bank near Kendal Close. 

The bank has been completely cleared of all vegetation, debris/litter and re-profiled with all the fencing removed.  This has left the area with open views across the canal and no areas without natural surveillance which will help reduce anti-social behaviour.  It was decided not to erect any new fencing as the situation became complicated with SSE requiring no fencing within 3m of the pylon feet. 

Members all agreed that the improvement to the area is dramatic and well worth the effort.  JW confirmed the area will be seeded but that further funds are required to construct a path along the bank.  The HV cable continues underground at the pylon underneath the hard standing of the tiling company and then on to Chalvey.  This means that works to improve the narrow section of path alongside the tiling co. would be increasingly costly.  CRT has confirmed they currently will not dedicate any routes as public in lieu of the planning design process. 

DM reiterated the LAF position that new public routes must be sought through the planning process when it is submitted on this site.  Members agreed.

TH informed members that the Friends of Slough Canal were given a briefing from CRT and Morgan Sindell on 7^th April 2016.  Plans for the regeneration were shared and the Friends were concerned to ensure that the public space available around the basin was increased.  They also requested a boat slipway at the Basin but this may not be feasible.  The existing Travis Perkins and Apple Coaches entrance would be the future access points to the Basin development.  The existing entrance would be fenced off with some kind of pedestrian/cycling access only.

A third of the Bowyer playing field would be developed with 6 storey blocks of flats with over 233 dwellings overall.  Advantages for the canal are increased public open space and improved safety.  TH felt that 6 storeys were too imposing and not necessary.  KW mentioned the relaxation of the planning laws to allow conversion of office blocks for housing purposes. 

Members felt the size of the development was excessive and should be scaled back; it is imperative that such a huge development is designed to minimise anti-social behaviour.  Members felt a major concern would be the extra traffic in the area due to the flats.  . 

Resolved - JW would ask Morgan Sindell for sight of the tweaked plans and for further update on when something concrete would be available for comments.

Bloom Park – JW tabled the plans for the improvements in Bloom Park.  Informal access points are to be formalised.  The existing vegetation buffer between the canal towpath and the park is to remain which is seen as unfortunate.  Members felt this would have been an opportunity to open up the area thereby improving safety.  TH informed the group that Morgan Sindell has stepped in as sponsor of the canal festival in place of Akzonobel who are moving out of Slough.  Football pitches are to be located where the festival parking normally happens which could be problematic. 

 JW would investigate with Parks what maintenance of the corridor nearer to the Uxbridge Rd Bridge is included in the plans as this area is prone to fly tipping and littering.  Members acknowledged this as a massive problem across the borough.  Parks will forward detailed designs of the entrances when they have been drawn up via JW.