Plans to build a housing estate on the grounds of a historic pub are currently being discussed by Slough Borough Council.

The 1.3-acre site of the Merrymakers pub in Langley was sold by Slough Borough Council in November 2023

Situated on Trelawney Avenue, the land had been "derelict" for some time during talks of next steps before a deal was struck with developer Elstree Land.

In a planning application, it has been confirmed that Elstree Land wishes to use the land to build 53 new homes made up of one, two and three-bedroom houses and flats – with 30 per cent already earmarked as affordable housing.

However, there has been a public outcry at the plans, with residents claiming they were promised a community hub, health facilities or a police station.

Now Councillor Chandra Muvvala has urged residents to make their views heard.

Speaking on social media, Cllr Muvvala said: "Please log in and lodge your comments either objecting or supporting, you can use this link to comment and submit."

In 2013 the council were considering to use the site to provide a new health and community hub

If the plan had gone ahead, a GP Surgery, pharmacy, homes and community spaces would have been built.

Despite being given the green light two years on, 2020 brought the unfortunate news that KDL Karter Developments Ltd - who had been the council's partners in the scheme - has withdrawn because of "financial pressures caused by COVID-19".

This meant that the surgery and pharmacy were no longer practical as part of the development and the plan was taken over by Slough Urban Renewal (SUR) – the partnership between Slough Borough Council and Morgan Sindall Investments Limited.

A plan was later drawn up for a council hub that would include Langley Library but also up to 32 affordable homes.

Following a lot of back and forth, the council handed the site over to Elstree Land which plans to use the site entirely for home - which company owner Daniel Bradbury hopes to provide as "100 per cent affordable".

He said: “This site has been vacant for a number of years, and we look forward to working with Slough to deliver a high-quality residential scheme which will assist in uplifting and revitalising the area.  

“Within these 53 homes, more than 30 percent of them will be Affordable Homes that will be delivered to the Future Homes Building Standard ensuring they are at the cutting edge of sustainability. 

“But we don’t want to stop at 30 percent. My vision is to work with Homes England and Abri to bring 100 per cent of the properties forward as affordable, providing future residents with an excellent balance of new homes, at a reasonable cost, close to local amenities which work for a variety of residents.”

The council has stated they are "proud" of the sale, with Councillor Wal Chahal confirming it will bring "much-needed funds" to aid the council's recovery.

Cllr Chahal added: “We had been keen for this to be developed as a medical facility for Langley residents; and we have been engaging with stakeholders such as the NHS to explore this possibility; there was however appetite for that at this time."