YORK ROAD CONSULTATION – February 2018
Background In July 2004 the Civic Society published a Strategic Review of Amenity. This was a distillation of more than 100 ideas and suggestions for “making Maidenhead a better place”, drawn from a survey of its members. The Strategic Review resonated with the public and inspired the “Great Debate” in the Maidenhead Advertiser, culminating in a reader’s survey in early 2006. The views expressed in this and at a subsequent public meeting prompted the Council in 2007 to form the Partnership for the Rejuvenation of Maidenhead (PRoM), comprising a cross-party group of councillors and comprehensive mix of community representatives with an independent chair. PRoM drew up the Town Centre Area Action Plan (AAP), founded on a consensus of community opinion. It was adopted in 2011. Introduction The Civic Society’s Review and the AAP both envisaged that the York Road Opportunity Area would provide a distinctive civic, cultural and community quarter at the heart of the town. They said development should respect the setting of the Town Hall and listed Library building while enhancing the town’s image and identity as a high quality urban centre. The main proposals in both documents included:
Response to Consultation (In answer to the Feedback form’s questions)
Overall are you pleased with the proposals that have been drawn up thus far? A: In part. Comment: Of all the town centre opportunity areas, York Road is the one with the greatest potential to showcase Maidenhead’s character – a successful Thames Valley town, one that has evolved with each transport era; a town that is welcoming, aspiring, affluent and attractive. For pragmatic reasons the Council has brought this site to the top of list to deliver a quick housing win. We would have preferred it to come later in the process to allow a full-scale, wide ranging debate and public engagement about the aspirations outlined for the site in the AAP. The anticipated 45% increase in the town’s population makes this ambition even more pertinent. If we are to be anything other than a dormitory town, we need to build in amenities, facilities and attractions that appeal to a range of interests to restore the town’s reputation as a destination. Although the near absence of any public parking makes this improbable. Do you have any comments on the areas of public realm proposed, in particular do you support the current plan? A: Some of it Comment: Public space is, of course, welcome. The Civic Society has long advocated a tree-lined “town square” as a focal point in the civic centre. Spaces should serve a purpose and/or respond to a need Spaces that people can enjoy allow a town to breathe and Maidenhead is below average on green space in the town centre. But public space requires management; and in such a compact town centre we cannot afford to waste space. The town does not want a surfeit of under-used, soulless spaces, like the hard landscaped area adjacent to Sainsbury’s in Providence Place. A large open area is proposed for The Landing which might be more suitable for a public market than St Ives Road, being nearer to the retail core and in sight of the railway. And in St Ives Road we already have the new amphitheatre. The ‘square’ proposed for the York Road Opportunity Area (YROA), if incorporated into a more general public space comprising the town hall gardens, the amphitheatre and a pedestrianised St Ives Road, could provide a site for public events, civic parades or celebrations and performance. But is there the demand? There has never, until now, been a consultation on what YROA should specifically include. Has any thought been given to providing an area of covered space as part of the mix, perhaps linking two or more facilities, e.g. Desborough and Heritage? Clearly there is a need to provide access to the waterfront and a space that does that in the vicinity of the Town Hall, with a mix of hard and soft landscaping, greenery and style, would be a welcome space for relaxation. But we feel that in itself the ‘square’ is too small for events or markets. We are also are unsure of the ‘Pavilion’ in its current location. It robs the square of space and risks detracting from the listed Library building. Could it be accommodated in one of the apartment blocks? What types of events and leisure activities would you like to see around the new square, pavilion and waterfront?
When people think of Maidenhead, they usually envisage the bridge over the Thames. With the right ingredients, this site could change that thinking. We understand that the developers involved in all the key town centre OAs are now meeting jointly. We hope that together – perhaps by incorporating adjacent sites, like the Bowls Club, into the overall scheme – they can explore the full potential of YROA. It’s better to get it right, even if the timetable slips.
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