Grand plan for Skindles and more in Taplow's Mill Lane site

New designs for residential and leisure facilities were among improvements made to proposals for the Mill Lane opportunity site in Taplow by Berkeley Homes.

The developer amended some of its plans for the 42-acre site after first displaying proposals at a pair of exhibitions in April.

Visitor feedback was used to guide improvements to their outline plan for the home of the derelict former Skindles Hotel and St Regis Paper Mill.

The developer returned to Maidenhead Rowing Club in River Road on Wednesday, July 2, to show off revised concepts.

HItcham and Taplow Society chairman, Karl Lawrence, said a lot of people at the exhibition were impressed with the changes.

Among them was a new design for a new Skindles restaurant, which has been redesigned to fit alongside the Grade-I Listed Maidenhead Bridge and the River Thames.

Feedback said the previous design lacked imagination and did not fit in with its surroundings.

“I think they are really working to get a scheme that will satisfy all of the objectives for the site," said Mr Lawrence.

Taplow parish councillor Euan Felton added the new proposals were a 'considerable improvement'.

Berkeley has also assured people about its commitment to building a new footbridge connecting the site to Boulters Lock.

Chairman of Maidenhead Civic Society, Bob Dulson, said that and plans for Jubilee Square – a pedestrianised centre of the scheme - deserved to be applauded but the project does not go far enough.

He said there was still potential to allow greater access to the site for the public.

"I can't help but think we are missing out on a big opportunity," he added.

Overall, Berkeley bosses said they were 'delighted' with the response from the public.

Its land manager, Caroline McHardy added it will look at further comments following the most recent exhibition before submitting a planning application later this summer.

As well as the new Skindles restaurant and Jubilee Square, Berkeley’s proposals also included the following developments:

60  one and two-bedroom apartments that will make up a senior living facility.

Berkeley intends to fulfil the requirement for affordable homes for the site though these apartments, and any remainder through a commuted sum made payable to SBDC.

Their design has been reworked along with the Skindles Restaurant after 41% of people who gave comments after the April exhibitions said their appearance needed to be improved.

The design of the Jubilee Apartments facing the Jubilee River have also been reworked to be given a ‘more residential’ feel.

Each building will be four-storeys in height with penthouse accommodation set back on top with undercroft parking.

There will be 108 apartments in total ranging from one-bed flats to three-bed penthouses

A mix of 49 new townhouses and 12 apartments will also be built by the Jubilee River.

South Bucks District Council conservation officers and English Heritage are advising Berkeley on the restoration of several other buildings towards the north of the site to protect their historic value.

It plans to convert Mill Island House into three houses; the Grade II Listed Glen Island House into four apartments; the stables into four apartments; the fire-ravaged Dunloe Lodge into one large home and 5 Mill Lane into a five-bed house.

Berkeley has now agreed with National Grid to a comprehensive approach to the site that fully includes its land - which is currently home to offices by the riverside and the large gasholder.

Existing businesses will be retained along the Thames Riverside with further new offices and parking on part of the former National Grid site.

That proposed public car park will provide spaces for restaurant customers and visitors to the site for recreation.

The existing boatyard will be refurbished with a new office and facilities and new proposals are in keeping with the existing Taplow Investments riverside architecture.

Next to the old paper mill this square will incorporate public art that celebrates the former use of the site.

Berkeley has said it aims to create a strong identity at the heart of the scheme, firmly rooted in the historic and cultural heritage of the site.

A sculpture of a modern interpretation of a waterwheel will sit in the centre of the Jubilee Square and bring the northern and southern part of the site together in a central, pedestrian-friendly area.

When work starts on the scheme Berkeley says working hours will be 8am-5.30pm, with no working on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

Its neighbours will be notified of progress with regular newsletters.

Visit www.taplowpapermill.co.uk for information about changes to vehicle access to the site and to leave comments about the proposals.