Plans to build 320 homes near Aldi in West Windsor submitted

Developer Wates Development has submitted an outline application to build up to 320 homes, 40 per cent are affordable, on 38.8 acres of land south of the A308 – just behind the new Aldi supermarket.

The site will provide private and affordable housing with a mix of apartments and family housing. This includes one and two-bedroom flats and two, three, and four-bedroom homes.

Within the design and access statement, it states the larger four-bed homes could accommodate the five-bedroom house types to meet local demand.

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Indicative drawing of what the homes could look like

The proposal also includes a special educational needs school that could take on 150 pupils, a community building, and open space for orchards, play spaces, and an outdoor gym, whilst also enhancing biodiversity and ‘green infrastructure’.

This is an outline planning application, meaning it is seeking if the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead agrees with the plans in principle before a full application is submitted.

Last month, Wates submitted outline plans for 135 homes north of the A308. The whole site, known as AL21, is earmarked within the borough local plan for 450 homes and takes it out of the green belt where policies that usually protect green belt land no longer apply.

The whole site is earmarked for 450 homes within the borough local plan (Image: Wates)

The plans have been in the works for 15 years after rigorous engagement with the community, council, and key stakeholders. A stakeholder master plan that outlined Wates’ findings was approved by cabinet councillors last year.

Elsewhere within the proposal, new pedestrian and cycle crossings of the A308 linking the sites, a link to the recently opened Aldi supermarket, all properties having an electric vehicle charging point, and establishing an on-site car club to minimise private car ownership.

The number of car and cycle parking spaces has not been revealed but Wates said it will confirm this number at a later stage.

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Jordan van Laun, Associate Director for Wates Developments, said: “Following our submission for the northern portion of AL21 last month, we are delighted to bring forward the second application to ensure that we can support the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead with their housing delivery needs.

“Following extensive engagement with the local community, we look forward to working with officers and relevant stakeholders to bring forward these proposals and will continue to liaise with members of the community around their interest in the scheme.

“We are confident these benefits will deliver attractive family homes in a sustainable location to meet the demands of current and future-generations in the borough.”