IT’S that time of the week again where we reveal the five most interesting planning applications determined by or submitted to the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and Slough Borough Council.

This edition comprises of a withdrawn application of a new waste facility, thrown out plans for ten apartments in Ascot, and improvement works on an existing telecommunications mast.

Retention and refurbishment of one existing building, erection of storage building with office space and parking following demolition of existing buildings at Mezel Hill Yard, Windsor Great Park, Windsor (19/03104/FULL).

The Royal Borough approved an application for the Royal Collection Trust’s retail operation to relocate to the park and occupy a new purpose-built accommodation as well as re-cladding an existing portal framed barn.

The Royal Collection Trust – which is chaired by the Prince of Wales – looks after the Royal’s art collections and also manages the public opening of the official residences of the Queen.

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In the design and access statement, the Trust claims security at the Home Park and Windsor Castle is becoming tighter as is intended to reduce incoming vehicle movements is the reason why they need to relocate.

Windsor Great Park is a designated Grade I park and garden and no existing trees will be removed or impacted, and new hedges and trees will be planted.

The existing three-bay concrete framed barn on the western side of the site is to be repaired and re-clad and the height of the proposed new building is lower than the ridge height of the retained barn.

Slough Observer:

A withdrawn application for a new waste facility at and west of the Iver South Sludge Dewatering Centre, South Of M4, Colnbrook-with-Poyle, Slough (P/17826/000).

Originally, the applicants wanted to move the Lakeside Energy and Waste facility and High Temperature Incinerator due to the proposed Heathrow third runway which would require the existing building to be demolished.

The 440,000 tonne capacity facility is a joint venture between Grundon Waste Management and Viridor, where they propose a replacement energy from waste facility and high temperature incinerator including ancillary buildings and structures, and a new access road with new junctions with the A4.

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The site would’ve been located west of the Iver South Sludge Dewatering Centre and approximately 600m to the north west of its current location.

However, due to Covid-19 grounding planes and the third runway plans being put on hold after a Court of Appeal ruling deeming it ‘unlawful’, the applicants decided to withdraw their application.

The application was received on June 26, 2019.

Slough Observer:

Converting an existing former barn into a house at Tarbay Lane, Oakley Green, Windsor (20/01807/FULL).

The Royal Borough received an application for a barn to be turned into residential development at Tarbay Farm – which sites on a Green Belt site.

A three-bedroom bungalow was constructed behind the property and the applicant stated the barn will have to reduce its eaves and ridge height as well altering its roof structure to make it ‘attractively align’ with the existing building.

In the design and access statement, it states the reason behind the conversion of the barn originally was to provide a home for the applicant and his wife – the latter suffers from an advanced neurological condition requiring that the internal layout of the family home is adapted in the bathroom and entrance areas.

The barn has been converted to allow wheelchair accessibility internally to those areas.

Slough Observer:

Construction of ten apartments with basement parking following demolition of existing building, Hill House, Cross Road, Sunningdale, Ascot (20/00780/FULL).

Planning officers at the Royal Borough decided to refuse this application on the grounds the building would’ve been ‘too dominant in the street scene’ as well as the design being ‘poor’ – which would clash with the character and appearances of the area.

The proposal was for two linked two-storey buildings comprising of seven two-bedroom and three three-bedroom apartments.

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A basement car park would’ve provided 20 parking spaces, cycle storage, and refuse storage.

A large, detached two-storey house is located to the southern edge of the site with a golf club located south of the property, where the applicant seeks to replace the existing building.

A 96-year-old resident objected to the plans and said: “The proposed building and the loss of grass and trees will impact badly on birdlife.

“We have already lost birds like thrushes, blackbirds, and woodpeckers completely in the area. It is at least eight years since any of them have been seen around.

He added: “Since Hillside Park was built, I have seen the wildlife in the area disappear gradually with the erection of more and more development in Cross Road.”

Slough Observer:

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Increasing the width of an existing mast, installing a new ringframe, and replacing a Huawei antenna at Telecommunications Mast Adjacent Railway, Electricity Relay Station, Highfield Lane, Maidenhead (20/01797/FULL).

An application was received for the Wireless Infrastructure Group to add new equipment at an existing mast – which would result in an increased width of more than one third of the existing mast, improving its services. The mast will be ‘optimised’ to include the upgrade of 5G while still providing up to 4G as well as mobile coverage for existing customers within the area.

The existing telecoms compound measure approximately 15m x 15m on plan and sites within the Substation site.

No public engagement has been conducted as the site has been rated ‘green’ on the mobile operators’ consultation traffic light rating system and the mast has been on site for in excess of 20 years.

Slough Observer: