WS Planning & Architecture was commissioned to undertake a Planning Statement by Sorbon Estates, addressing proposals for the redevelopment of the site to retain 2 existing commercial units, and to provide an additional 3 commercial units (Class E) and 21 serviced apartments. This follows a previously withdrawn application.

The application site was neither statutorily or locally designated, however, it was located within the Windsor Town Centre Conservation Area and setting of a number of statutorily designated heritage assets.

The Grade I designated Windsor Castle is located to the east of the application site, however, only glimpses of the castle were visible from the application site when viewed from Peascod Street. Therefore, proposals were not considered to have any impact upon how this heritage asset will be appreciated, and its setting will remain fundamentally unaffected by proposals.

The existing building was a mid to late 20th century two-storey, commercial property with associated parking. Given its lack of age and a commensurately low design value in any other respect, the existing building was of no architectural or historic significance, and therefore not nationally designated nor locally recognised. It was however located within the Windsor Town Centre Conservation Area and within the near setting of several heritage assets. Adjacent the site to the northeast, is Grade II listed Goswell House and 135 and 136 Peascod Street, and to the rear of the application site, the Grade II listed Hart and Garter Hotel and the Windsor and Eton Central Station.

The proposal follows a previous application for a similar development at the same site. It was withdrawn following comments received from the Council’s Planning Officer and the Council’s Conservation Officer. In regard to this, our amended application subsequently addressed the concerns raised, with the reduction in the scale of the rear section of the building and replicating the mansard roof profile to match the front of the site.

Plans and drawings courtesy of H.J Stribling & Partners – Chartered Architects.