Go-karting centre looks set to go ahead

A go-karting and combat centre looks likely to come to Maidenhead after Royal Borough councillors dismissed a recommendation to refuse planning permission last night.

The application by the charity Absolutely Leisure to bring the facility to an empty two-storey warehouse in Stafferton Way was discussed by Maidenhead Development Control Panel at the town hall.

Planning officers recommended the idea be turned down due to fears over parking, highway safety and noise, and the resulting loss of an employment site.

Residents living near the site had raised objections over the impact on the surrounding area.

But councillors argued the opportunity to bring more business into the town should be taken, particularly in a warehouse which has sat empty for months.

They agreed to defer the decision back to the head of the planning department to grant permission for the centre, subject to conditions addressing the concerns being satisfied.

If it goes ahead the centre could operate seven days a week with up to 14 karts on the track at any one time.

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