A brand-new development on Ascot High Street has prompted concerns by Ascot Parish council about overdevelopment and conflicts with their existing community values.

Developer London Square tweaked it’s plans in December 2022 following the original planning application to include 133 dwellings on land to the south of the High Street, by Ascot Fire Station.

The revised scheme includes 32 homes, 101 apartments, a park with open spaces of grass and places to play, a two-storey community building, a large public square, and new shops, cafes, restaurants, and offices.

This also includes five retail units with a focus on food and beverage sectors to cater for 600,000 people. 

The parish council have outlined their continued concerns for the future of the high street. They said: “The proposals don’t deliver the two-sided High Street which is at the heart of the community vision and have deviated significantly from delivering the community benefits.

“We are concerned that the retail and commercial elements appear to be focussed on providing food and beverage outlets and other leisure facilities for racegoers and other visitors, and don’t broaden the range of new retail opportunities in the High Street or provide units suited to small independents.”

The worry across the town is that there is only scant reference to the possibility of space for small independent retailers or micro/small business units which is in conflict with Ascot’s community vision.

This is to provide a two-sided High Street in order to improve the range of retail offerings on the High Street for residents, with an emphasis on small independents.

Ascot and Sunninghill Parish Council said in the report: “The community vision for the Ascot Green development, supported by extensive community consultation, was to develop Ascot into a more attractive place for locals to visit and a focus for the community by providing a community arts space and village square, and enhancing the footfall on the High Street by offering a broader range of new retail.

“The proposals don’t deliver the 2-sided high street, a core element of the Ascot Rejuvenation.”

As well as the commercial impact, there has also been push-back about overdevelopment, parking limitations and residential concerns.