No 108 February 2025
THE WINDSOR AND ETON SOCIETY
Incorporating Windsor Heritage
108 NEWSLETTER No 107 February 2025
NOTE FROM OUR CHAIR
Is it too late to wish everyone a Happy New Year?
We are nearing the end of this season’s talks which have been varied and so interesting.
Is there anyone who might assist with the Minutes of the Trustees’ Meetings and the Annual Report please? The latter is now mainly co-ordination because Trustees are good at delivering their contributions. If anyone is interested please contact me or one of the Trustees for more information.
OBITUARY – BERYL HEDGES
Beryl was a staunch member of The Windsor and Eton Society for many years. She was co-opted on to the Executive Committee in the 1990s to be a representative from the Windsor Local History Group, of which she was a founder member. It was not too long before she became responsible for organising the annual Talks Programme. She provided the Society with years of interesting and informative speakers for our talks which were regularly held at Gardeners’ Hall in those days.
Beryl originally came to Windsor in 1962 and, together with her husband, owned the Windsor Bookshop in St Leonard’s Road from 1971 until its closure in 1982. She contributed much to Society Committee meetings and had a lively interest in Windsor, both its history and its future. She was an active member of the Windsor Local History Group as its Chairman and then its President and was also a member of the Friends of the Royal Borough Museum and campaigned strongly for its reopening in 2011. She compiled old photographs of Windsor and had several books published.
Beryl was also a Steward Emeritus of St George’s Chapel having served as a steward for 35 years.
This Society has much for which to be grateful to Beryl and we send our sympathy to her two daughters.
HERITAGE & ENVIRONMENT
Quarterly Meeting
The Quarterly Meeting with officers from RBWM in December took place via ‘Teams’ rather than in person. We asked for an update on the items we had raised at the last meeting some of which were still unanswered. Our next meeting is set for March where we will again raise the issues that concern us along with trying to get a full conservation survey instigated on The Guildhall. This building is important to the heritage of the town and at present does not appear to have a conservation or maintenance plan to ensure its upkeep is scheduled. There have been planning applications recently for Listed Building Consent to carry out decoration and refurbishment works which we have supported.
Windsor Town Team
In July we discussed with RBWM how The Society could help other groups around the town to help improve areas across the town and it was suggested setting up a Windsor Town Team on the same lines as the Maidenhead one. Members of their Town Team meet regularly to undertake tasks around Maidenhead which include gardening, litter picking, graffiti removal etc. The idea for a Windsor Town Team was launched at the end of September at York House, which a good number of people from different organisations attended, but it has yet to be established. There are some issues that need to be sorted as Windsor is not as compact an area as Maidenhead because the Town Centre, Dedworth and Clewer all lie within the boundary of the town. This is to be relaunched to see if those who had expressed interest back in September are still interested in being part of the team and also to advertise the scheme further to attract others.
Windsor Forum
We continue to attend the Windsor Forum to ensure that we are aware of things that people are interested in around the town and to raise issues that affect the residents of the town. It is open to all residents so do feel free to come along to York House to hear what is happening and to have your say. The next meeting is Tuesday 18th March at 6.30pm and future meetings are also advertised in the Local News section of these quarterly Newsletters.
Committee Meetings
The Heritage and Environment Committee continue to note and respond to matters that are important to maintain 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 are looking for new members to join us and hope that we can attract others who share the same interest in planning and conservation in our towns. Specific expertise is not as essential as a keen interest in safeguarding our historic towns and new members would be supported into the role. If you are interested in being involved, please contact The Society to find out more about what we do.
The town centre shops continue to change tenants and there are often complaints about the number of food outlets and coffee shops that fill the spaces. We, like the Borough, are contacted and, like them, we have no say in who a landlord rents to. We do look however at any planning applications regarding changes to shopfronts/alterations and signage of these buildings. More and more applications submitted are for illuminated signs in the Conservation Area which we resist, if they do not meet RBWM policies.
There has been a consultation regarding Parking Standards which has now closed to the public. The HEC responded to this consultation, but this has yet to be passed into policy. Some roads of the town now have little or no greenery at all as cars replace plants in front gardens, especially with so many garages being converted into habitable accommodation, so it will be interesting to see if this new policy will influence this or not.
Planning Applications
Letters written after the February 2025 meeting
Wolf Lane Play Area, Wolf Lane, Windsor, SL4 4YZ – 2 new dwellings, bike, tool, bin and green waste stores and new boundary treatment (PA 24/03155/FULL)
Plans were inspected and it was agreed that we needed to object to this planning application on numerous grounds – loss of public amenity space, design, lack of private amenity space and access.
Alexandra Gardens, Barry Avenue, Windsor, SL4 5JA – Observation Wheel and Refreshment Unit to be sited from March 29th 2025 to September 12th 2025. Open to the public from April 5th 2025 to September 7th 2025. (PA 25/00037/FULL)
Whilst happy with the Observation Wheel etc. the condition of Alexandra Gardens was of great concern, and it was agreed to write a letter seeking improvements to the gardens as a whole.
The Hollies, 3 Fairlawn Park, Windsor, SL4 4HL – (T1) silver birch – fell (004/1962/TPO) (PA 25/00068/TOP)
It was agreed to send the usual tree replacement letter.
138 Clewer Hill Road, Windsor, SL4 4DB – Single storey side/front extension, single storey rear extension, part replacement roof including part raising of the ridge, 2 front dormers and 1 rear dormer to accommodate a loft conversion, replacement outbuilding ancillary to the main dwelling and alterations to fenestration following demolition of existing elements (PA 25/00181/FULL)
Whilst it was considered a very large extension it was felt to be OK, but the outbuilding needed a single occupancy letter sent.
Letters written after the January 2025 meeting
Dedworth Clinic, 97A Smiths Lane, Windsor, SL4 5PE – 2 x three bedroom semi-detached dwellings and 1 detached dwelling, solar panels to roofs, 3 drop kerbs and associated parking and landscaping, following the demolition of the existing building and drop kerb (PA 24/02986/FULL)
The plans and the parking provision were discussed. Highways had requested more information. It was agreed that the PD be removed.
Pending
Osborne Court, Osborne Road, Windsor, SL4 3EP – horse-chestnut – fell (004/2004/TPO) (PA 24/02968/TPO T8)
It was agreed to send the usual tree replacement letter.
Permitted with condition to replant
6 and land at 6 Albion Place, Hatch Lane, Windsor – ancillary annexe to be used in part as a holiday let (PA 24/02872/FULL)
The plans were inspected and it was thought that this annexe would overlook rear development. Parking would also be an issue here.
Refused
Rustlings, St Leonard’s Hill, Windsor, SL4 4AH T1 – oak – fell (003/1961/TPO) (PA 24/03020/TPO)
It was agreed to send the usual tree replacement letter.
Permitted with condition to replant
Guildhall, High Street, Windsor, SL4 1LR – consent for external redecoration and repair works to the existing building (PA 24/02544/LBC)
The plans were inspected and once it was established that the windows would be refurbished before redecorating then all were pleased that works might actually take place soon – HEC asked for these works to be carried out 5 years ago and also required a maintenance schedule for this Grade I listed building. It was agreed to send a letter saying how pleased we were that these works were being carried out and hoped that they would be undertaken asap.
Pending
Letters written after the December 2024 meeting
4 Hazelmere Road, Windsor, SL4 5ES – conversion of dwelling into 3 flats to include single storey side/rear extension, first floor rear balcony, hip to gable, 1 rear dormer, alterations to fenestration and 1 detached outbuilding following demolition of existing element (PA 24/02566/FULL)
This was deemed an intensification and parking would be a problem.
Refused
Updates to Planning Applications mentioned in previous newsletters
Letters written after the November meeting
54 and land at 54 Illingworth – single storey side infill following the demolition of the existing single storey side element to No. 54, 1 new detached dwelling, new front boundary treatment and 2 cycle storage sheds (PA 24/02366)A letter was written as this appears to be squeezed in therefore an overdevelopment of the site and out of keeping with properties in the road. Refused
The Swifts, 31 Dower Park, Windsor – works to trees covered by TPO Proposal: Installation of posts within root protection area of Cedar tree, potential severing of roots. (PA 24/02488)
The plans were inspected and drawings found inaccurate – concern for the health of the tree.
Withdrawn
41 Frances Road – single storey side/rear extension, single storey rear extension, enlargement of existing basement, alterations to fenestration, new steps and hardstanding, following demolition of existing elements. (PA 24/02589/FULL)
The plans were inspected, and a letter was sent commenting that it was a pity that a conservatory was being demolished to be replaced by a windowless box.
Withdrawn
Letters written after the August meeting
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.
Pending
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.
Pending
Letters written after the July meeting
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 but has now gone to Appeal
Letters written after the June meeting
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
Letter written after the March 2023 meeting
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
Letter written after the January 2023 Meeting
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. There were further changes to the plans following our letter and one storey was removed from the top of the hotel.
Pending – this was permitted at Panel but there is still no confirmation on the website as there will still be legal matters to sort.
GARDENING PROJECTS
This is the “quiet season” for the gardening project workers due to the unsuitable weather. It is anticipated that the working groups will get going again in March.
TALKS
In December Graham Grist, from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, gave us a very informative talk on the history of finding the best way to organise suitable cemeteries to honour the fallen at battlefield sites abroad. The result was the iconic headstone recording each of the fallen with a uniform stone regardless of rank. As a follow up to this talk we hope to arrange a guided visit to The Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede when the weather is better.
Our January talk was a most interesting and informative talk on Westminster Abbey given by Peter Symonds, Assistant Visitor Services Manager for Windsor Castle. His talk covered the historical background to this wonderful building and the monarchs who built it and added to it over the years
In February Karen Townsend, guide at Dorney Court, told us about the origins and history of this interesting house and the Palmer family, whose home it has been for nearly 500 years and who still live in it today. Family portraits and other pictures told a story of, among other things, a priest hole, wolves and a ghost. To help with the upkeep, the house is used for film sets, wedding ceremonies and other events. It can be visited at certain times of the year.
FUTURE TALKS
Wednesday 5th March – 7.30pm – on Zoom
George Fussey, Keeper of the Natural History Museum at Eton College, will talk on “Everything you need to know about spiders but were afraid to ask”
Wednesday 2nd April – 7.30pm – on Zoom
Barbara Askew, historian and London Blue Badge Guide, will give a virtual tour of the Albert Memorial.
More detail on each talk is published on The Society’s website.
OUTINGS
I had hoped to organise a trip to Goodwood House. However, I don’t think this will be feasible as they are only open two days per week, Mondays and Fridays. Also, we would need to be there by 10.15 at the latest which would mean an unacceptably early start from Windsor.
I am now investigating alternative venues and will communicate with members directly by email when I have a possible outing arranged. (Report from Anne Taylor)
MEMBERSHIP
A warm welcome to five new members and, although a small number of members were lost through non-renewal, a couple have re-joined after a lapse which is great news.
Are you still receiving your Newsletter in the post? It would be helpful to our administration and would keep down our postage costs if you could try receiving it by e-mail. Please contact me, Katie Broady, if you are willing to give it a trial and if the trial doesn’t work for you I promise to reinstate the hard copy.
I am just completing our Gift Aid data for our Treasurer to send to HMRC. Gift Aid allows charities to claim an extra 25p for every £1 that is donated so please consider Gift Aiding your subscription from next October if you are not already doing so. I can send you the form on request.
Lastly, a couple of years ago I asked members (especially those not using e-mail) if they would mind providing me with a telephone number for very occasional contact. I received a fair number, but would appreciate more. Several times lately, I have had to resort to sending letters when I have no e-mail address. A telephone call is much easier and I, for one, enjoy the chat!
LOCAL NEWS
Windsor Forum – The next 2 meetings are scheduled for Tuesday 18th March and Tuesday 13th May, both at 6.30pm in the Grey Room, York House, Sheet Street, Windsor. Minutes of previous meetings, the Agenda and dates of future meetings when available, can be accessed through the RBWM website http://www.rbwm.gov.uk
Published by The Windsor and Eton Society www.wesoc.org.uk