Council refuses Berkeley Homes' plans for redevelopment

Campaigners battling plans to redevelop a popular building in the centre of Windsor scored a surprise success last night.

Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead planning officers have given their support to the plan by Berkeley Homes to redevelop Essex Lodge on the corner of Osborne Road and Bolton Avenue, Windsor.

But planning councillors listened to the objections of nearby residents who say the proposed replacement building is too domineering. At a meeting last night the councillors refused to pass the plan as residents applauded.

There was also good news at the meeting for opponents of plans to put 3.4m high advertising boards in the town.

The Royal Borough has invited the company JC Decaux to install the boards in Windsor and Maidenhead.

But initial applications to put the boards up outside East Berkshire College in St Leonard's Road, Pizza Palace in Oxford Road East and the Post Office, Peascod Street, Windsor were all rejected by councillors as unsuitable. Councillors now plan to meet representatives of the company to discuss suitable sites for the banners.