Documents continue to filter in on the major Nicholsons redevelopment plan – and concerns have been flagged over impacts on the environment and how it will be protected.
A decision is nearing on the redevelopment project, with developers previously stating it could come in September.
So far, more than 370 documents that have landed in the planning portal since the application appeared at the end of April this year.
There are currently 22 objection letters and a similar number of official comments from statutory bodies, who must be consulted.
Environment Agency
Some of the more prominent reservations come from the Environment Agency. It is not objecting to the proposal as such, but wants some conditions attached.
A report looked for possible land contamination and found several past uses that might have left pollutants in the ground – a dry cleaner, diesel and hydraulic oil storage tanks and an oil interceptor.
Because of this, pollution could be released during construction and could reach groundwater or rivers.
This is especially important here because the site:
The report concludes that a more detailed investigation and planning will be needed before building starts.
‘Extreme care’ must be taken during demolition to ensure that any contamination is not spread, the EA wrote.
Accessibility
Parking within the Nicholsons redevelopment plan has been an ongoing issue – and accessibility charity People to Places, which runs Shopmobility, has had concerns.
In the former Broadway multi-storey car park, Shopmobility had 14 parking bays ‘and these were often full’.
It objected to previous plans to allocate Shopmobility only nine parking bays to be shared with blue badge holders.
Given the number of blue badge holders, these would be ‘swamped’ during busy periods, the organisation feared.
But P2P has withdrawn its objection now 10 spaces are set to be dedicated for Shopmobility use during its opening hours.
Developer Areli also intends to provide collapsible bollards to make sure blue badge holders do not use P2P spaces inappropriately.
Conservation
Plans may have a material impact on numerous registered parks and gardens.
As such, The Gardens Trust, a charity dedicated to conserving historic gardens, said it wants to see a key diagram showing which places the Nicholsons redevelopment would be visible from.
It says the application’s heritage report does not properly explain how important nearby historic parks and gardens are, or how the new development might affect them.
There are also potential archaeological implications; the site lies in the historic core of Medieval Maidenhead, which became increasingly prominent following the construction of a bridge over the Thames during the 13th century.
Archaeological remains may be damaged by ground disturbance – so Berkshire Archaeology has asked for a condition saying no development can begin until there has been a proper investigation at the site.
Other nearby buildings
The owner of the eight-storey office building known as Nicholson House, Aegon, does not object to the principle of development – but does have some qualms.
This building will be ‘surrounded on all four sides’ by demolition, construction and highways works.
It is therefore ‘of concern’ to Aegon how the development proposals will ensure the continued use and operation of Nicholson House during these phases.
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