Fears residents could be priced out by regeneration in Slough

Calls have been made to ensure residents are not priced out of Slough town centre when the long-awaited regeneration of the shopping centres takes place.

Developer Berkeley Homes completed a deal to buy the Queensmere Observatory shopping centres from the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority earlier this month.

The housebuilder will be tasked with reviving stalled plans to build up to 1,600 new homes, shops and entertainment space in the town centre.

The future of the high street was a key talking point during the council’s first State of the Borough debate which took place at Slough and Langley College on Thursday, July 17.

The event gave residents a chance to grill a panel of councillors and representatives from the voluntary and business sector about the challenges facing the town.

Tackling the question of what needs to be done to improve the town centre, Councillor Sabia Akram, leader of the Slough Liberal Democrats, questioned how much new homes could cost within any future housing scheme at the Queensmere.

Councillor Akram told the audience: “My concern is the High Street doesn’t become unaffordable and unsustainable.

“Is it going to be affordable or is it going to price us out? That is going to be the biggest challenge for the town centre developer.

“There’s also questions about what happens to existing businesses who are struggling to pay their rates and almost struggling to exist. We have a very lucrative food industry in Slough town, but what about everyone else?”

Panel members address the audience at the State of the Borough debate

Labour councillor Pavitar Kaur Mann added: “I’m very pleased that Berkeley Homes are taking over the development of the town centre. They have a track record of delivery and they are a respected and well-known housebuilder.

“But even if they started tomorrow, this project is a long-term project. What are we doing in the meantime to make sure we drive activity in the town centre?”

Further details about the proposed town centre regeneration are expected to be revealed later this year.

Berkeley Homes said it has a vision to support a thriving and sustainable town centre which reflects the energy and diversity of the community.

The State of the Borough panel also featured young voices from the Slough Youth Parliament.

Panel member Omar Mahmoud said: “When I go out with my friends, I don’t really stay in Slough because there aren’t that many fun things to do.

“We need to bring more things inside of Slough instead of just having restaurants.”

The problem of anti-social behaviour in the town centre was also a key talking point with some residents labelling the situation as ‘absolutely diabolical’.

Calls were also made for a more visible police presence to deter would-be troublemakers.

Council leader Dexter Smith responded: “I don’t think the answer is necessarily getting more policing, it’s about getting more activity (for young people) in the town.

“One of the key things about the regeneration is it’s based on building new homes in the centre. There will be a lot more footfall in the shops which will bring a sense of security.”