New plans are in for 320-home proposal in West Windsor

Part of a planning application for a 320-home proposal has been submitted to the council for scrutiny.

The controversial plan for land west of Windsor around Dedworth Road, Windsor Road and Oakley Green Road, includes a special education school.

The site, called AL21 in the Borough Local Plan, is part of a wider allocation for about 450 homes, open space and sports pitch.

It is located south of the A308 off Dedworth Road and comprises an area of about 156,900sqm.

As a 'reserved matters' application, a previous 'outline' application for the site, covering access, has already been approved.

Immediately adjacent to the south of the site is the Cardinal Clinic, which includes the Grade II listed Old Farmhouse and grounds.

Applicant Vistry Thames Valley is looking to make a ‘high-quality form of design that makes provision for family housing with gardens’. Also included are new self/custom-build plots.

Forty per cent of the homes and flats are affordable housing – in line with RBWM standards.

Building types and heights

Most building heights are 2 or 2.5 storeys, with several three-storey dwellings.

Proposed apartment blocks are 3-4 storeys in height, with the tallest fronting the Main Avenue and central open space – the ‘least sensitive’ area in terms of building heights.

This ‘ensures limited visibility of the site from the public domain.’

In terms of housing type, the breakdown goes:

-          A total of 42 one-bed flats – 18 market and 20 affordable

-          A total of 51 two-bed flats – 29 market and 32 affordable

-          A single three-bed and four-bed flat, both of which will be affordable

-          A total of 24 two-bed houses – four market and 18 affordable

-          A total of 131 three-bed houses – 90 market and 41 affordable

-          A total of 45 four-bed houses – 32 market and 13 affordable

-          A total of 11 five-bed houses – nine market and two affordable

-          Ten self-build or custom homes, none of which will be affordable.

This makes for a total of 192 market homes and 128 affordable, out of the full 320 (exactly 40 per cent).

Parking and access

The proposed level of car parking spaces ‘will be in line with RBWM’s standards.’ In the transport statement, the standards are outlined as:

-          One-bed flats – one space per unit

-          Two- or three-bedroom dwellings – two spaces per dwelling

-          Four-bed or larger homes – three spaces per dwelling.

Each is to be provided with off-street parking together with ‘a level of unallocated provision across the site for visitors.’

This comprises 564 allocated spaces in total, 31 garages, and 52 visitor spaces together with three Car Club spaces.

Each dwelling will have an electrical vehicle charge socket. A total of 135 cycle parking spaces will also be provided.

In addition to the approved primary vehicular access from Dedworth Road, a secondary emergency access route to the north of the Site from the A308 is proposed, alongside nine pedestrian/cycle connections.

These are proposed onto Oakley Green Road, the Willows footpath, and across the A308.

The proposal will provide pedestrian and  cycle connections onto Dedworth Road, Maidenhead Road, the Willows Path, Oakley Green Road and across the A308.

Community and public space

A ‘multifunctional community space’ is planned to span 270sqm, while ‘community building land’ will provide a continuous area of at least 8,500sqm.

A total of 44,900sqm of public open space will be included, including semi-natural open space spanning 25,700sqm, amenity space across 13,700sqm, parks and gardens covering 4,800sqm and equipped play space on 600sqm.

A community orchard area is also proposed adjacent to the community building, which will provide the opportunity for residents to pick their own fruit.

To see all plans, enter reference 24/00951/REM into Windsor and Maidenhead’s planning portal.