Maidenhead & Windsor

Maidenhead Council action has resulted in a welcome facelift for a building that has long been considered a Maidenhead town centre eyesore – and there is good news about another long-empty building at Broadway, now given the green light for a major refurbishment.

The owners of Cressett Towers at 71-73 High Street, Maidenhead reacted positively when the Royal Borough served an enforcement notice under Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, giving them three months to carry out a detailed list of work on the building or face a substantial fine. The notice was issued following government clarification and guidance on the use of these powers.

The notice took effect on June 12, with work starting soon afterwards on a variety of repairs and cleaning the outside of the building, including the brickwork and stucco, metalwork and windows. Unforeseen technical difficulties meant the work could not be finished within the three-month timescale – but it is now complete, including an internal refurbishment which the owners carried out above the requirements of Maidenhead council's enforcement order.

Cllr Simon Werner, lead member for Maidenhead, said he was pleased by the positive action of the building owners and delighted to see this former Maidenhead eyesore restored and ready to play a part in the campaign to 'make a good town better'.

He said: "A town will always have vacant properties because of business turnover or for a number of other reasons. However, there is no reason why they should be allowed to fall into disrepair and drag nearby premises or even whole streets down with them. "What has happened at Cressett Towers is a lesson for all owners of premises that are detracting from the overall good appearance of our town centre. The council now has the power to take enforcement action if the properties are not looked after and kept in good condition."

Although Cressett Towers is not listed it is identified in the council's Maidenhead Town Centre Conservation Area Statement as an important building in the town.

Last week (Wednesday October 25) the council's Maidenhead development control panel gave the go-ahead for a major internal and external refurbishment at 29 Broadway (on the corner of Park Street and Broadway), including an additional floor.

Cllr Werner said: "This is a further positive sign of the willingness of businesses to invest in Maidenhead. They certainly wouldn't be doing so if they didn't believe in the town and its future prosperity."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead