No 106 August 2024

HERITAGE & ENVIRONMENT

After many months of trying to get the Officers from RBWM to meet with members of the committee, we have finally set a date for the beginning of September for the first quarterly meeting. We hope to discuss many of the matters that we have had concerns about for many months. These include The Vision for
Windsor, planning application issues, the voluntary work that The Windsor and Eton Society complete, rodent issues, how the Society can help other groups around the town and conservation issues.
The Heritage and Environment Committee continue to note and respond to matters that are important in maintaining the historic buildings in the Conservation Areas of the town. We also try to ensure that all planning applications are scrutinised and commented on as and when necessary.

The Committee meets once a month to discuss the planning applications and related policy developments. We have been very fortunate to have members who have a vast knowledge of planning rules, laws, and policies, however if you feel you can contribute to protecting the historical aspects of Windsor and Eton as well as shaping its future, please contact me to find out more about how we work and about possibly joining the Committee. Specific expertise is not as essential as a keen interest in safeguarding our historic towns and new members would be supported into the role.

The town centre shops continue to change tenants and therefore there are a number of changes to shop fronts and advertising signs to monitor. More and more applications submitted are for illuminated signs in the Conservation Area which we resist if they do not meet RBWM policies.

In planning applications that involve the felling of a tree the committee continue to write a standard letter requesting a replacement tree is planted to ensure the renewal and improvement of the biodiversity and greenery of the towns. We have seen that this clause to replant is now in most of these permitted applications.

We continue to object to applications that remove all the greenery in front gardens to allow for large areas of concrete or block paving for parking. This is to try to encourage people to leave at least some area for planting to allow water to have somewhere to soak into, to avoid it causing flooding when it rains heavily. Many people are applying to convert garages into habitable accommodation and therefore needing more of the front garden to be put to parking. Some roads of the town now have little or no greenery at all, as cars replace plants in front gardens.

Planning Applications
Letters to be written after the August meeting
1. 131-133 Peascod Street, Windsor, SL4 1DW – outline application for access, appearance, layout and scale only to be considered at this stage with all other matters to be reserved for the redevelopment of the site to retain the 2 existing commercial units, and to provide an additional 3 commercial units (Class E) and 21 serviced apartments (Class C1) (PA 24/01728/OUT)
This is not a full application yet, but it was decided to send a letter requesting care be taken to protect the cobbled roadway during and after the construction.

2.Langleigh Copse, St Leonards Hill, Windsor, SL4 4AL – (T1) Conifer – fell and (T2) Oak – crown reduce by 5m to leave a height and spread of 3m and remove deadwood. (005/1960/TPO)(24/01722/TPO)
A letter to be sent as no reason has been given for removing the conifer. We would also be requesting a replacement is planted.

3. Windsor Business Quarter, 67 Alma Road, Windsor – demolition and redevelopment of the site comprising the erection of new buildings to provide 118 units of extra care housing (Class C2) and 197 residential dwellings (Class C3) along with new basement to provide car parking, plant and associated ancillary accommodation, new public realm works, provision of amenity space and other works associated and ancillary to the proposed development (PA 24/01594/FULL)
A letter will be sent regarding concerns about parking
Letters written after the July meeting

4. 1 Dower Park, Windsor, SL4 4BQ – two storey side/rear extension, single storey front/side extension, alterations to fenestration and external finish (PA 24/01341/FULL)
Plans inspected and agreed this is an overdevelopment of the site, out of keeping with other properties in the area, and with potential damage to an ancient oak tree. Refused

5. Land Adjacent To 1 Farm Yard, Windsor – consent to display 1 internally illuminated double sided partially digitalised monolith sign (PA 24/01323/ADV)
These signs were discussed, and it was agreed that a strong objection letter should be sent as they were contrary to RBWM’s policies and unacceptable in the historic conservation area. Pending

6. Land Adjacent 1 Thames Street, Windsor – consent to display 1 internally illuminated double sided partially digitalised monolith advertising sign (PA 24/01324/ADV)
As above. Pending

7. Land Adjacent To Piara of Windsor Garden Café, Alexandra Gardens Coach Park, Goswell Road, Windsor – consent to display 1 internally illuminated double sided partially digitalised monolith advertising sign (PA 24/01322/ADV)
As above. Permitted

8. Langleigh Copse, St Leonards Hill, Windsor, SL4 4AL – (T1) Sycamore – fell. (005/1960/TPO) (PO 24/01296/TPO)
Plans inspected and it was agreed to send replacement tree letter.
Permitted including the clause to replant

9. Neals Yard, 8 Peascod Street, Windsor, SL4 1DT – consent to retain 1 externally illuminated fascia sign and 1 externally illuminated projecting sign. Repainting of the existing shopfront and new signage. (Retrospective) (PA 24/01105/ADV/ 24/01106/FULL )
Plans inspected and agreed to request that Conservation review their report on the signage. Conservation have now reviewed and changed their report   Refused

10.  48 Bulkeley Avenue, Windsor, SL4 3NA – single storey wraparound (front/side/rear) extension to create an annexe ancillary to the main dwelling, following demolition of existing elements (PA 24/01338/FULL) Pending

11. Blackboys, Roses Lane, Windsor, SL4 4JU – garage conversion to include a single storey extension and alterations to fenestration (PA 24/01481/Full)
This conversion was considered big and required a no separate dwelling letter. Pending

12. 94 St Leonards Road, Windsor, SL4 3DA – T1 – Goat Willow – Fell (PA 24/01501/TCA)   This willow tree was situated in the rear garden and it was agreed to send a replacement tree letter Permitted

Letters written after the June meeting
13.  Land at 11 and 11 Clifton Rise, Windsor – 1 detached two bedroom dwelling with associated parking and new pedestrian access to the rear, new drop kerb and cycle store to the existing property following the demolition of the single storey elements and detached garage (PA 24/01084/FULL) Pending

14. 59 Princess Avenue, Windsor, SL4 3LU – part single, part two storey front/side/rear extension, 1 single storey detached outbuilding and alterations to external finish (PA 24/01235/FULL) Permitted

15.  11 High Street, Windsor – consent for internal alterations to the first and second floor to facilitate a change of use from office to residential to create 4 flats (PA 24/01231/LBC) Pending

16.  17 Ellison Close, Windsor, SL4 4BZ – single storey front/side extension and mono pitched roof (PA 24/01170/FULL) Refused
Letters written after the May meeting

17. 1 Clewer Avenue, Windsor, SL4 3QB – part single part two storey side extension (PA 24/00964/FULL) Overdevelopment and parking issues. Refused

18. 1 Surly Hall Walk, Windsor, SL4 5LY – 1 dwelling, creation of a first floor to the existing dwelling, 1 chimney and alterations to fenestration following demolition of the existing elements (PA 24/00924/FULL ) This area is considered to be a garden city complex and the greenery needs to stay. Refused

19. 3 Butlers Close, SL4 5RD – single storey detached outbuilding ancillary to the main dwelling (part retrospective) (PA 24/00880/FULL)Letter sent asking for a clause that this detached building cannot be rented out or used as a seperate dwelling.  Application has been called into Panel for greater scrutiny.

20.  Thy Spa, 17 High Street, Windsor, SL4 1LD – consent for alterations to the shopfront and signage including 1 internally illuminated fascia sign and 1 internally illuminated projecting sign (PA 24/00695/LBC) Refused
Updates to Planning Applications mentioned in previous newsletters

Letters written after the April meeting
21.  19 Bolton Avenue, Windsor, SL4 3JE – replacement garage. (PA 24/00729/FULL)
The plans were inspected and we had no objections so long as the trees were protected. Letter sent asking that Tree Officer’s views be considered. Withdrawn

22.  Land adjacent to 15 Franklyn Crescent, Windsor – 1 detached three bedroom dwelling with widening of the existing drop kerb at 15 Franklyn Crescent to form a shared access. (PA 24/00640/FULL)
The plans were inspected, and it was agreed to object again to the building on open space. Refused

23.  Halifax, 26 Peascod Street, Windsor, SL4 1DU – new shopfront with replacement handrails, ramp and new signage. (PA 24/00584 FULL)
The plans were inspected and they do not comply with the Zone 2 Policy. Agreed to write objecting to the plans.
New plans submitted and application then Permitted

24.  Annexe Green Acre, 15 Dower Park, Windsor, SL4 4BQ – T1 – Douglas Fir tree fell (007/1959/TPO) (24/00809/TPO) Permitted with clause to replant

25.  St Leonards Mead, St Leonards Hill, Windsor, SL4 4AL – Wellington tree – fell (005/1960/TPO) (PA 24/00772/TPO)
Permitted with condition to replace the tree
Letters written after the March meeting

26.  4 Lockets Close, Windsor, SL4 5QT – part single, part two storey wrap around extension (front/side/rear), raising of the ridge, loft conversion, alterations to the external finish and fenestration, new rear patio and a detached outbuilding following the demolition of the existing detached outbuilding. (PA 24/00143/FULL)
This very large extension will leave little amenity space and may overlook neighbours. Taken together with the proposed outbuilding, it constitutes over development. Withdrawn

Letters written after the January Meeting
27.  Diversion of a public footpath (Retrospective) – Street Record Footpath From Alma Road To Vansittart Road South of Clarence Medical Centre Windsor. (PA 23/02993/FULL) Refused

Letters written after the October 2023 Meeting

28.  39 Clifton Rise, Windsor, SL4 5SX – 3 front rooflights, raising of the ridge and eaves, 1 rear dormer and alterations to the external finish and fenestration (PA 23/02301/FULL)  Pending but gone to appeal due to delay in making a decision

29. 13 Aston Mead, Windsor, SL4 5PP – new front porch, single storey side extension, single storey rear infill extension, single storey rear/side extension and alterations to fenestration (PA 23/02107/FULL)
This proposal is out of keeping with the design of the main bungalow and in front of the building line.
Withdrawn March 2024 but new application (PA 24/00797 – FULL) submitted in April. Withdrawn in May
Letters written after the August 2023 Meeting

30. Market Cross House, 51 High Street, SL4 1LR – retention of replacement roof and rainwater goods, repair works to the chimney stack, external finish and rear fenestration, internal repairs and new security cameras (PA 23/01288/LBC) Permitted
Letters written after the March 2023 meeting

31. Windsor Yards re-development – (PA 22/02893/FULL)
This application was discussed again in the light of the recent photographs taken, the developer’s response and additional papers submitted. It was agreed that all would view the additional papers after which a letter was sent. This went to April’s Management Panel and was permitted but the final letter is not on the website yet. Pending

Letters written after the January 2023 Meeting

32.  Windsor Yards re-development – (PA 22/02893/FULL)
These plans had just been submitted but it was agreed that a response from The Society was required. Letter sent regarding the additional two floors on the hotel.
this was permitted at Panel but there is still no confirmation on the website as there will still be legal matters to sort