WIREDGOV

A £400 million redevelopment scheme aimed at revitalising Slough town centre will result in the demolition of the iconic 1960s Brunel bus station and adjacent roundabout, familiar to viewers of the opening scenes of the hit TV comedy series The Office.

Details of the Heart of Slough project have been unveiled by English Partnerships, the national regeneration agency, and Slough Borough Council and are now out for consultation.

The proposals involve plans for 1,500 homes, more than 34,000sq m of new office space, a replacement bus station and a new hotel which will provide the hub of a restaurant quarter.

In addition the master plan includes the provision of an iconic new landmark building for the Berkshire town which will house a new library next to St Ethelbert's church.

The project will also mean improved street-level pedestrian links between the bus, train and commercial areas to the existing shopping district and High Street.

Consent for the scheme is expected in the late summer this year with construction expected to be under way in 2009. The redevelopment scheme is one of a number of regeneration initiatives planned for the town due to be completed over the next decade.

Berkeley Homes and Development Securities are the council's development partners for the Heart of Slough scheme.

English Partnerships has been responsible for the master plan as well as the infrastructure work associated with the new junction on the A4 and the new bus station.

Read the Slough Borough Council news release

Read the English Partnerships background information

Roger Milne

24 January 2008