Maidenhead & Windsor

Proposals for the regeneration of Maidenhead town centre have taken three significant steps forward this week.

As the Royal Borough began a tendering process for urban designers to draw up a Masterplan for Maidenhead, one of the world's largest property companies, ING Real Estate, announced it is proposing to invest more than £150m in a retail-led development linking the town centre to the station.

"This is very exciting news," said council leader David Burbage. "We are well on the way to bringing in experts to assist in re-designing a town centre for the future and we are delighted to be in discussions at this early stage with a respected developer for one of the key areas of the town."

This week also sees the formal launch of the Partnership for the Rejuvenation of Maidenhead (PRoM), a cross-party group created by the council with an independent chairman charged with steering the regeneration.

Recognising the need for urgent progress, PRoM is pursuing actions on three fronts:

* Devising a Masterplan and strategy which will include Development Briefs for key areas
* Looking to progress one or more of these areas as a priority
* Ensuring that its work on a Vision for the town centre runs parallel to and informs the new Local Development Framework which will replace the Local Plan

As part of the process, council officers have held talks with a number of potential developers and investors – and the proposal announced by ING Real Estate is welcomed as a strong signal that Maidenhead is an attractive investment opportunity.

The need for regenerating the area bounded by Queen Street, Broadway and King Street was one of the main themes to emerge from public consultation and surveys. Since PRoM's formation it has been underlined as a main priority with a view to enhancing the retail offer and linking the town centre with the station.

ING has not yet made a formal presentation to PRoM or the council but its project would be retail-led. Discussions will take place in the next few weeks about the scheme, which could see the Nicholson's Centre linked to Queen Street, King Street and the station with shops, stores offices and housing.

Bob Dulson, chairman of PRoM, said: "This is just the kind of fillip we need and it proves there are serious players willing to get involved in the much-needed regeneration of Maidenhead."

At the same time, PRoM has been working on the draft Vision for the town centre and the council is now seeking tenders from urban planning companies for the preparation of a Masterplan.

Bob Dulson said: "Since PRoM was announced, lots of exciting ideas have been coming forward. Much valuable work has also been done by the council over the past year and PRoM, with the help of the planning department, has been busy pulling all this together into a brief for the design consultants."

Importantly the Vision and Masterplan will be backed by a series of Development Briefs. These 'action plans' will provide more detailed guidance to determine the appropriate development for each of the areas that make up the town centre. They will also be built into the new Local Development Framework.

Bob Dulson added: "PRoM will try to stimulate a continuing constructive debate so that those who live and work in Maidenhead can have a proper say in defining its future. There will be formal and informal opportunities for the public to be involved, as the blueprint is prepared.

"One of the most important things for me was that PRoM had the support of both parties – and not only do we have their support but we have the participation of the leaders of both of the main political groups on the council.

"Our job now is to produce a cohesive plan for the town centre as a whole. Everyone seems to agree where the problem sites are and we need to address those, but they have to be seen as part of an overall scheme.

"We're looking for a blueprint for a Maidenhead that properly befits, attracts and serves its residents – and hopefully excites them too."

Cllr Burbage said: "This investment is the first sign that our town is starting to come back to life. PRoM is leading the way by developing a Masterplan that will make Maidenhead the envy of the region. This £150m is just the start of the good news – we expect other investors to follow ING; in short Maidenhead's coming back!"

Cllr Simon Werner, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, said: "Back in 2006 the council started the process of creating the partnership vision for Maidenhead. PRoM is a welcome next step in this process. I look forward to being part of the team that will regenerate Maidenhead and make it once again 'The Jewel of the Thames'."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead