Windsor Forum : The Royal Windsor and Eton Forum

http://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/news/article-19227-future-of-controversial-office-block-goes-to-appeal/

The future of the controversial plan to build 25,464 sq m of offices on the site of Windsor's old Ranks Hovis MacDougall building now rests in the hands of a government appointed planning inspector.

The Royal Borough turned down the application by developers St Congar to build the offices in Alma Road after deciding they were too big and would dominate surrounding roads.

But Windsor and District Chamber of Commerce is supporting the plan, saying that the offices are needed to bring business to shops in the town centre.

St Congar appealed against the Royal Borough's refusal and a two-day appeal hearing was held at Windsor Racecourse on Tuesday and Wednesday this week at which all views were given an airing.

The appeals inspector's decision will be made known in the new year.

The plan has divided the town with 300 angry residents demonstrating on the site of the proposed development last summer.

Royal Borough officers proposed approval of the plan but graphic images shown at the planning meeting of how the offices would dominate the view from surrounding roads led councillors to decide against.