Countryside Partnerships and the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead have marked the start of construction at their £150m and 434-home St Cloud Way regeneration scheme in Maidenhead town centre, with a ground-breaking ceremony on 16 March 2023.
Cllr Andrew Johnson, the Council Leader, broke the first ground on the development, along with key representatives from Countryside, the council and Abri, the housing provider managing the affordable housing on the development.
With demolition of the former Magnet Leisure Centre and removal of the footbridge over St Cloud Way now complete, construction of the first phase of the regeneration scheme has begun, which will deliver 351 new homes, in a mix of houses, apartments and maisonettes, of which 33 will be for affordable rent and 54 for shared ownership. The second phase of the scheme includes the redevelopment of the former Ten Pin Bowling site for 83 new private sale homes.
The new private sale homes are expected to launch for sale in 2024 from the marketing suite which will be located on site. Every home at the development will benefit from private outdoor space through a private garden, balcony or terrace, in addition to podium gardens for residents and beautifully landscaped surrounding areas. In total, over 8,500 sq m of outdoor amenity space is set to be delivered across the development.
The St Cloud Way footbridge will be replaced with a pedestrian crossing on St Cloud Way, part of the council’s measures to improve connectivity across the site, which also include the delivery of the new ‘Missing Links’ cycle route and improvements to the existing subway that will provide safe and inclusive access into the town centre.
New on-site parking spaces will be provided at the development, 20% incorporating active electric vehicle charging points and the remaining 80% having future electric car charging capability. Three on-site car club spaces will also be created, building on the launch of Maidenhead’s first car club at the Partnership’s first regeneration scheme, Watermark. 455 secure cycle parking spaces will also be delivered to support sustainable transport measures.
The development will generate over £1m of Section 106 contributions, which will fund wider community improvements, enhancements to local play spaces and transport and access improvements for pedestrians and cyclists.
Construction will directly support 213 jobs per month and is expected to complete in 2029. Countryside will target the local labour market and provide apprenticeships for those looking to become a qualified trade person. The new homes are also expected to create up to £13.4m in commercial expenditure per annum.
Daniel King, Managing Director, West London & Thames Valley, Countryside Partnerships, said: “The official start of construction on any development is a proud moment, but especially at the long-awaited regeneration of St Cloud Way. This ground-breaking event is a major milestone for both the Royal Borough Development Partnership and Maidenhead, as we continue the transformation of the town centre with 434 high-quality new homes, new outdoor spaces and improved connectivity.
"With the plans for St Cloud Way shaped by extensive consultation with the local community and stakeholders, we look forward to realising the potential that this site offers Maidenhead, in partnership with the Royal Borough.”
Councillor Andrew Johnson, the Council Leader, said: “This is a significant moment in our exciting regeneration of Maidenhead town centre, with this site delivering a mixture of new town centre homes, including 87 affordable homes, to help meet the needs for our community.
“With leisure facilities now provided at Braywick Leisure Centre, this transformative £150m investment, our largest partnership project with Countryside, is bringing a prime brownfield site back into use, delivering much-needed new homes, alongside wider community and infrastructure investment, that will boost the town centre and support further major investment.
“I’m thrilled construction is underway and I look forward to seeing the redevelopment taking shape behind the hoardings, knowing it is bringing huge benefits in the long-term, and in the shorter-term is supporting jobs and careers in the local construction industry.
Wayne Morris, Group Chair at Abri, added: “St Cloud Way is a great example of what can be accomplished through collaboration. Working together with Countryside Partnerships and the Royal Borough, we’re helping to deliver high-quality, affordable homes in a great location that will strengthen the community.
“With the increased cost of living and the significant demand for affordable housing, it’s essential that we provide homes like these and to be making 87 of these new homes affordable will help address the housing need in the area.”
St Cloud Way is the second and largest regeneration scheme of the Royal Borough Development Partnership, a joint initiative between the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead and Countryside Partnerships. Phase one of the York Road regeneration scheme, known as Watermark, is almost fully complete and will deliver, upon completion, 229 new homes, retail spaces and a new public square.