The provision of affordable homes across the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead is set to strengthen with Abri, Countryside Partnerships and the leader of the council marking the start of construction at the St Cloud Way regeneration scheme in Maidenhead.
Cllr Andrew Johnson, the Leader of the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, Wayne Morris Group Chair of Abri and key representatives from Countryside and the Royal Borough marked the occasion with a ground-breaking ceremony.
Abri, one of the south’s largest housing providers, is working with Countryside to deliver 87 affordable homes at the scheme, 33 of which will be available for affordable rent and 54 for sale through shared ownership. The new affordable homes are part of the 434-home St Cloud Way development on the site of the former Magnet Leisure Centre in Maidenhead town centre.
Wayne Morris, Group Chair at Abri, said:
“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.”
The start of the first phase of the regeneration scheme, will deliver 351 new homes, in a mix of houses, apartments and maisonettes which will include the 87 affordable homes. The second phase of the scheme includes the redevelopment of the former Ten Pin Bowling site for 83 new private sale homes.
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.”
Daniel King, Managing Director, West London & Thames Valley, Countryside Partnerships, added:
“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.”
The new homes being built at St Cloud Way continue Abri’s delivery of affordable homes across the Royal Borough with Abri on target to deliver 151 new homes by 2026. At Sunningdale Park in Ascot, Abri is delivering 41 new affordable homes with Berkeley Homes featuring 18 one-bedroom, and 23 two-bedroom apartments available through shared ownership. Abri and St William Homes, part of the Berkeley Group, are also working together at Sunninghill Square in Ascot, where 23 affordable homes are under construction for shared ownership, including 14 one-bedroom and nine two bedroom-apartments.
At Sawyers Close in Windsor Abri is consulting with the current residents on proposals to replace the four existing buildings and build quality affordable homes. The proposals include building an extra 225 affordable homes, making 417 news homes in total.
