Former uni site gets £640m redevelopment plan

A £640m redevelopment plan has been submitted to build houses and offices on the former Thames Valley University site.

The proposal would involve 1,500 homes, offices and retail space built within a development known as the North West Quadrant.

Thames Valley University closed its doors in 2010, and the site was cleared in 2021. Part of the site is currently used as a temporary car park.

Kate McBride from the government's housing and regeneration agency, Homes England, said the scheme would transform the vacant site into "a vibrant, mixed-use neighbourhood that will deliver new homes, jobs and high-quality public spaces".

Homes England bought the site from Slough Borough Council in 2023 to support its regeneration.

The collaboration between developers Muse and Homes England is intended to transform it into a "new neighbourhood for the heart of Slough".

If approved and completed, the redevelopment could deliver more than 1,500 homes, an office building and 3,000 sq m of retail space. A 100-child nursery and 415 parking spaces are also proposed.

Additionally, food and drinks units and health and wellbeing studios are planned. A gym is also proposed along Wellington Street, as well as a convenience store on Stoke Road.

A total of 473 apartments are also planned at this stage.

If Slough Borough Council approves the plans in September, construction of phase one could start in the spring of 2027, according to Muse.