Agenda item

The Committee received a pre-application presentation on the proposals for the old Slough Library site on High Street, Slough.  It was the first pre-application presentation that the Committee had received following the Council’s adoption of the Developer’s Protocol on 31^st January 2017.  The Planning Manager reminded Members of the purpose, scope and format of pre-application presentations.

The pre-application presentation was given by representatives of Slough Urban Renewal on a proposed ten storey, mixed use development including two branded hotels (Residence Inn & Moxy), restaurants and 62 residential units on the old Slough Central Library site.  The presentation covered the location of the development, outline design and the anticipated regeneration benefits.

After the presentation had been conducted, Members were given the opportunity to ask questions and make initial observations on the proposals.  The following is a summary of key questions and issues raised:

·  Parking – 80 spaces in the Burlington car park had been set aside for the hotel, disabled parking would be available in the courtyard and a layby had been identified for drop-offs, which was large enough to accommodate a coach.  Access and security issues would need to be addressed.

·  Elevation and frontage – a number of comments were made about the height of the building and its relationship to adjacent buildings, particularly the stepping down towards Cornwall House and how the angular frontage related to The Curve.  It was noted that the detailed design was still being refined.

·  Restaurants – it was anticipated that there would be two or three branded restaurants which would help contribute to the regeneration and attractiveness of the town centre.  There was unlikely to be any significant retail development on the site.

·  Residential – the inclusion of balconies in the residential element of the scheme was discussed.  In view of the prominence of the site, consideration would have to be given to the design to ensure the development had a high quality feel.

·  Façade and landscaping – several observations were made about the materials to be used on the façade of the building.  It was noted that the sketches shown to the Committee were indicative and it had not been decided what the final treatment would be.  Members highlighted the importance of both high quality design and retaining as many verges and trees as possible, with sympathetic landscaping where required.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the Chair thanked SUR for the presentation.