Chapel Arches redevelopment given green light

The Royal Borough last night approved plans for the ambitious Chapel Arches development project which will transform the town centre.

The £100m scheme will see the Colonnade, La Roche gym and part of the Hines Meadow car park demolished to make way for new shops, restaurants and apartment blocks - centred around an improved York Stream.

The approval of all four planning applications made by Shanly Homes and Sorbon Estates will remodel much of the south east side of the town centre.

Although two councillors on the Maidenhead development control panel moved to defer the decision until the concerns of residents and business owners could be addressed, the applications were approved.

Cllr John Stretton (Con, Bisham and Cookham) said: "One thing we can make absolutely certain of is that we cannot please everybody.

"We cannot delay any longer. The town is a mess. Lets start putting it back together as soon as possible."

Cllr MJ Saunders (Con, Bisham and Cookham) recommended that the applications were 'fully and enthusiastically' approved.

"We are at a key turning point where a number of regeneration dreams have the serious potential to become reality," he said.

"It is critical that the people of this panel send a message to the people of Maidenhead that Maidenhead is open for business and doing business."