More flats and building height changes in updated Nicholson Quarter plans

More than 180 extra flats and a reduction in the height of the tallest tower feature in revised plans for the major redevelopment of the Nicholsons Centre.

A public exhibition of updated plans for the new Nicholson Quarter opened to the public today (Friday).

Guests were welcomed into a unit opposite La Cantina in the shopping centre to look over the amended plans which look to deliver new homes, shops, restaurants, offices, a new car park and a major public space named Sir Nicholas Winton Square by residents.

Areli secured planning permission for the re-development in March 2021, but the scheme has since been held up by issues including legal challenges over compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) for the land needed for the regeneration.

The design team, led by Areli has been working alongside the Royal Borough council to refine the proposals.

Areli expects the updated design will be completed by the end of March following the public consultation, and hopes to secure permission to start construction in early 2026.

A two-day community update exhibition, which opened this morning, shows a range of changes being proposed, including reduced building heights and more homes.

Under previous plans for the project, which encompasses a vast area of the town centre, 675 new homes were proposed with 364 as residential flats and 311 as retirement units.

But the updated proposals have seen that number increase to 856, with 756 residential flats and 100 retirement living units.

The plans have also seen a shift away from office space, which has been reduced from 314,177 sq ft to 123,603 sq ft.

One building earmarked for offices has been substituted for housing.

Previous plans for the new area provided no affordable housing.

But the team has said a new viability assessment will be carried out to see if affordable housing can be provided.

Under the initial council-approved plans, permission was given for the buildings to be up to 25 storeys in height.

This received much criticism, leading to the development being labelled ‘Maidhattan’.

The updated plans have now revealed the height of this building will be reduced to 20 storeys.

Alterations have also been made concerning massing and building form to ‘enhance daylight sunlight performance’.

Another major change is the number of car parking spaces proposed for the new multi-storey car park to be built at the site of the Broadway Car Park.

The original plans included 885 parking spaces, but this number has been reduced to 458. The spaces will be larger in size.

Will Robinson, development director at Areli, said the team has been analysing usage and car parking demand to provide the right amount of parking for the town centre.

Under the initial plans, the re-development site included the four-storey Siena Court office building, but this has now been removed from the development.  

The amount of cycle parking has increased from 855 to about 900 and the amount of public open space has also risen from 1.3 acres to 1.65 acres, with the proposed creation of Moffatt Square.

According to the plans, this will be a secondary square providing ‘spill out’ space for drinking, eating, dwell time and a range of green infrastructure.

The new Moffatt Street and Desborough Way would provide a range of delis and food bazaars, and local independent boutiques and designers.

Meanwhile, Brock Lane is proposed to be home to indoor and outdoor spaces with studios ‘spilling out onto the street’.

Restaurants and cafes are planned for the new Sir Nicholas Winton Square, with the potential for outdoor concerts, performances and events.

More than 55 new shops, bars and restaurants are proposed for the development.

The one new bus stop and shelter has been retained from the previous plans and there are plans for EV charging points.

Mr Robinson said feedback at the exhibition so far has been ‘brilliant’ and the team is ‘very confident’ that the anticipated start date for construction will be met.

Tom Forrester from Areli, said: “Maidenhead is recognised as being right up there as one of the best places to live and work in the country.

“Nicholson Quarter will add to the town’s vibrancy and attractiveness by bringing a new lease of life to the town centre through a rich mix of workplaces, homes, shops and public spaces.

“We have had tremendous support from the local community, and we hope as many people as possible will visit our update exhibition as we continue the journey to getting spades in the ground early next year.”

The exhibition is taking place from 10.30am to 5.30pm both today and tomorrow (Saturday).

For more information visit: www.nicholsonquarter.co.uk