Half-built flats to lose two storeys or be demolished

Councillors initially gave the project planning permission, against officers' advice, in July 2023

The developer behind a half-built block of flats that breached planning permission has lost its appeal against a council order to demolish or amend it.

Wexham Construction Ltd only had permission for a block of flats of up to four storeys on Wexham Road, Slough – but built six storeys instead.

The government's planning inspectorate branded the structure "a striking, incongruous building which towers over its neighbours" and said it should be demolished or made to fit approved plans.

In a statement Slough Borough Council said the appeal decision showed it is not a "soft touch" on developers who breach planning permission.

The council ordered the developer to demolish or alter the half-built flats in October last year, but the developer appealed to the planning inspectorate to overturn the decision.

In statements submitted to the inspectorate it said a six storey building was "the necessary height to mark this important street corner", and pointed to other blocks of flats nearby.

But planning inspector Andrew Walker refused to grant planning permission and gave Wexham Construction Ltd 12 months to comply with the council's enforcement order.

The decision is the culmination of a series of twists and turns surrounding 30-32 Wexham Road.

Slough's planning committee initially gave approval to the 27-home development in July 2023, against the advice of its own planning officers.

But formal planning permission wasn't granted as Wexham Construction failed to sign an agreement to contribute to the costs of new infrastructure within a six month timeframe.

Planning officers brought the application back to the planning committee – who, this time, voted to reject the application, but construction work was already underway.

Wexham Construction Ltd still has permission to build a smaller three and four storey block of flats.

The firm was listed last month on Companies House as dissolved.