Slough: Massive plan to regenerate Trading Estate
After 12 months of consultation with businesses and the local community, SEGRO has submitted a planning application to regenerate the Slough Trading Estate into a 21st Century business destination. The Vision for the Future Masterplan will create more than 4,100 new jobs throughout the 20 year redevelopment plan, which in turn will contribute around £100 million a year to the Slough economy.
The planning application is for the redevelopment of an area stretching from the Leigh Road to the centre of the Estate, together with two applications to make improvements to the existing Leigh Road Bridge.
A document setting out SEGRO’s Masterplan for the wider regeneration of the whole of the Estate has also been submitted for consideration. This sets out how the Estate can be transformed into five purpose designed business environments, each with a range of facilities and amenities to meet the needs of different businesses. Together, the plans will ensure that the Trading Estate continues to be a success in the future, playing an important role in the community of Slough and the economic development of the wider region.
Kevin O’Connor, Director of Slough Trading Estate, commented: “The long term regeneration of the Slough Trading Estate is key in delivering a business location for the future and, importantly, to create much-needed new jobs in Slough. Through the delivery of the Masterplan, SEGRO will invest circa £600 million over the course of the 20 year project, which will transform the Estate and deliver a 21st Century business location. We have spent the last 12 months consulting with businesses on and off the Estate, as well as the local community, to ensure we deliver a modern, thriving business community where the needs of people come first.”
“We have been working in partnership with Slough Borough Council, Thames Valley University and other stakeholders as part of the Futureskills Programme and intend to provide a new Skills Education Training Centre on the Trading Estate. The new jobs created as part of the redevelopment will represent a range of business sectors and skills levels. Where possible, we want to do as much as we can to ensure these opportunities are open to local people.”
The plans, first announced in October 2007 and consulted on throughout July 2008, have been developed in consultation with businesses on the Estate, Slough Borough Council and other stakeholders. The current proposal for the Leigh Road Central Core includes:
• A modern new area in the centre of the Estate.
• This will be home to new offices; a purpose built transport hub; two hotels; convenience shops; restaurants; cafés; a conference centre for major events; leisure facilities and a Skills Education Training Centre. All new facilities will be available for Estate occupiers and the local community.
• A landscaped public park and square, along with tree-lined boulevards.
• A transport hub to coordinate travel to, from, and around the Estate to ensure there are real alternatives to the car.
• There will be a new on-demand local transport service providing frequent peak time services from residential areas of Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead to the Trading Estate; direct and frequent shuttle services around the local area and to local rail stations; an improved cycle network throughout the Estate to encourage cycling; new pedestrian routes and crossings; and incentives for car sharing.
• There will be a dedicated Transport Manager and a Travel Club for all employees.
• The provision of a new two-way bridge over the railway line will ensure the traffic flow around the Estate is improved.
• Measures to enable businesses to reduce their carbon footprint.
This includes designing energy efficient buildings; using sustainable building materials; incorporating renewable energy techniques as well as sustainable waste and water processes into the construction of new buildings; improved ecology by providing additional green space and tree planting; and sustainable travel initiatives.
• A one-stop shop for education, skills and training will be delivered in partnership with key stakeholders to enable local people to have access to the new employment opportunities on the Estate.
The Masterplan will be delivered in partnership with existing businesses on the Estate and the local community. A 16-week determination period now follows, and allows the public and others to comment on the plans before Slough Borough Council considers the application later this year.
For more information, visit the Slough Trading Estate website: http://www.sloughte.com
