Slough Borough Council

A Brighter Britwell and Northborough

The consultation process

Slough Borough Council has recently consulted with Britwell and Northborough residents on plans to regenerate and improve Britwell and Northborough.

The consultation has given the council valuable views on what improvements residents would like to see in the area such as new housing, community buildings and transport links and the regeneration of parks and open spaces.  The opinions and suggestions given will help the council to develop more detailed proposals which will also go out to consultation.

The council invited all Britwell and Northborough residents to an exhibition so they could view in detail the proposals for the area.  Residents were asked to fill in a questionnaire on what they want to see in the area, and their priorities for new facilities.

Exhibitions were held at the Northborough Co-op Hall, Claycotts Children’s Centre and the Family Welfare Association.  A public meeting was also held at the Britwell Community Centre. Regeneration specialists, Urban Practitioners, were also available to answer questions at special ‘meet the expert’ sessions.

Outcome of consultation

At its meeting held on 10 July 2006, the council’s cabinet met and considered the final feasibility study into a possible regeneration scheme for Britwell & Northborough.  The final report had taken into account the results of the consultation with residents.  The cabinet agreed the following:

That the proposed changes to the masterplan be agreed.  These are:

• Farnham Lane proposal has been removed
• Housing development on parish land has been removed but all the proposed community facilities remain with the financial assessment
• The health centre proposal has been removed. However, it could be included on a number of sites if additional resources are identified at a later date.
• There are two alternative options for the redevelopment of Kennedy Park. One involves relocation of the scout and guide huts and the other proposes retention of these in their original locations
• Housing in Monksfield Way recreation ground has been removed however it could be included on a number of sites if additional resources are identified at a later date.
• Extra costs have been included to help residential tenants and retail occupiers relocate to new accommodation/refit units
• The revised plan generates either 261 or 272 residential units depending on the possible location of the scout and guide huts. 94 residential units would be demolished on Wentworth Avenue, generating a net gain of 167 or 178 units.
• That the assistant chief executive seek formal agreements with People 1st (Slough) on the level of contribution made from the housing revenue account for redevelopment of Wentworth Avenue and Marunden Green Homes.
• That the assistant chief executive explore any other funding opportunities to close the gap and make provision in the capital programme as necessary to be approved as part of the council’s annual budget setting policies and procedures.
• That the assistant chief executive continue to work with Britwell Parish Council and the guides and scouts to seek arrangements on how to achieve their needs: including any financial contribution that could be negotiated and also formally approach the Avenue General Practice on the possibility of finding funding for a new health centre.
• That the assistant chief executive review the proposed project plan for taking the programme forward with a view to bringing the timetable forward.
• That the assistant chief executive prepare detailed plans to advance the implementation of the proposals for a new landscaping and a pedestrian path in Kennedy Park, including floodlighting, between Britwell and Northborough.

There are a number of actions to take, most to do with identifying opportunities to close the funding gap.  The actions proposed in the feasibility are being reviewed and the key next step will be to go through a competitive process to find a development partner.  A small project team will be put in place who, amongst other things the project team will prepare a plan for establishing how local residents and businesses and other interested parties can take part in the detailed planning and final design of the overall scheme.

More information

Britwell and Northborough Regeneration Study [ PDF ]

Britwell and Northborough Regeneration Study - Executive Summary [ PDF ]

Full consulation report [ PDF ]