Councillors decide on 19 November whether 16 flats can replace a takeaway, a house and a garage on St Mark's Crescent. Officers back it; 17 neighbours object.

Plans for 16 flats on St Mark’s Crescent in Maidenhead, with no affordable homes, go before councillors next Thursday. Planning officers recommend approval.

The Maidenhead Development Management Committee meets at 6pm on Thursday 19 November in the Council Chamber at Maidenhead Town Hall. The application, 26/00801/FULL, is the only one on its agenda.

What is planned

The site is at 5 to 5C St Mark’s Crescent, north-west of the junction with Courthouse Road. It covers about 0.13 hectares. Three things stand on it now, according to the officers’ report:

  • Haka Chinese Takeaway
  • a three-bedroom detached house
  • a vehicle repair garage with a three-bedroom flat above

All three would be demolished. In their place would go two four-storey buildings, counting a lower ground floor. The applicant is Hanslink Ltd.

The scheme in numbers:
Flats 16 (7 one-bed, 9 two-bed)
Net new homes 14
Affordable homes 0
Car parking spaces 17, under the building
Cycle spaces 40

All 16 flats would be sold on the open market.

Why there are no affordable homes

The applicant’s viability assessment says the scheme cannot pay for any affordable housing. The council’s own consultant reviewed it and agreed, the report says.

Officers want a legal agreement that would re-test viability before building starts and again late in the scheme. If profits turn out higher, affordable housing money could still be due. The agreement would also secure £36,933.12 for the council’s carbon offset fund.

A second attempt

The same site was refused in March 2023. That scheme had 20 flats and two shops, and the council gave nine reasons for saying no. They included the lack of affordable housing, the design, parking and the effect on the house behind.

The new scheme drops four flats and both shops.

What neighbours say

Twelve neighbours were notified directly. The council received 17 letters of objection. Among the points made:

  • 16 flats is too many for the plot, in a street of two-storey family homes
  • the rear building would overlook and overshadow homes on Havelock Road
  • the new access is too close to the zebra crossing and mini roundabout, which pupils at Newlands, Furze Platt, Alwyn and Courthouse schools use every school day
  • three on-street parking spaces would go, in an area where residents say parking is already short
  • local schools, doctors and dentists are already full

Officers say each of these is dealt with in the report. They conclude there would be no harm to highway safety and that the parking provision is adequate.

What it means for you

  • If you live nearby: the meeting is open to the public, at 6pm on 19 November in Maidenhead Town Hall. The agenda page names the council officer to contact about the meeting.
  • If permission is granted: it would only take effect once the legal agreement is signed. If that is not done within six months, officers would refuse it.
  • To read the plans: search for 26/00801/FULL on the council’s planning register.

Sources