Development Proposals Unveiled for Empstead Works

Proposals for the development of Empstead Works (off Greys Road) has been unveiled by The Green Regeneration Property Company and residents are being asked for their views on the plans.

The site was included in 2016 and updated 2022 Joint Henley and Harpsden Neighbourhood Plan (JHHNP) for a mixed home/commercial site for 42 dwellings.

The site comprises of the Stuart Turner head office and small industrial units (approx 1.3 hectares/ 3.2 acres) stretching from Market Place/Gravel Hill to the north, to Greys Road to the south.

The proposals which can be viewed at empsteadworks.co.uk and commented on, show 54 homes (23 x 3-bed homes, 14 x 4-bed homes, 10 x 2-bed homes, 2 x 2-bed maisonettes and 5 x 1-bed maisonettes with 1 car parking space allocated per home, 1,638 sqm of commercial space (a convenience food shop at ground floor, a gym at first floor and a nursery at second floor) and circa 1050 sq m of green space including a playground.

There is no mention of 40% affordable housing which is a policy of the JHHNP and SODC Local Plan 2035 on the proposals. In the OCC 2022 ‘Parking Standards for New Developments’ it states that for 3+ bedroom dwellings, 2 car parking spaces should be allocated.

The Green Regeneration Property Company (TGRPC) have met with Henley Town Council twice to discuss the site and present its redevelopment ideas; first in November 2023 and in October 2024. TGRPC has also carried out pre-application consultation with SODC last summer and has submitted its second pre-application enquiry to SODC last month (December 2024) which is running concurrently with the public consultation. SODC have also shared their pre-application advice with TGRPC from 2019 prior to their involvement with the site.

In addition, TGRPC say that they have engaged with Design South East (an independent charity dedicated to improving the quality of design in the built environment) who undertook a design review of the proposals last month.  This was an independent review conducted by a mixed panel of experts who discussed the project with TGRPC and SODC and provided feedback on how it could be improved.

TGRPC say that they have explored the demand for commercial/town centre uses at the site as it is some distance from the retail centre of the town and are aware that there are some vacant retail units including in Gardiner Place nearly 4 years after completion.  They have appointed commercial agents to advise on the suitability and market demand for various retail, commercial and leisure uses. They completed some research and soft market testing over several months which identified some potential interest from national operators for a food convenience shop, a gym and a nursery.  The Herald understands that there are some waiting lists at local nurseries, due partly however to recruitment of staff and are unaware of the many gyms in Henley that are at full capacity.

Planning policy requires new residential developments provide communal amenity and play spaces however there are 3 playgrounds in walking distance from the site (Makins, Mill Meadows and Freemans Meadows). TGRPC responded by saying, “The proposed play area is in response to planning policy; however, TGRPC will be reviewing the size and type of play space and specifically the balance between play space and provision of amenity space that would benefit a wider range of users in the next stage of the design development. Providing play areas for children to play as well as open areas is important to meeting our commitments to planning policy as well as delivering new amenity spaces to support a growing community.”

We asked Stuart Turner for their response to the plans and the relocation of their head office and their employees however to date we have not received a reply.

A spokesperson for the Community Communications Partnership who are managing the public consultation said, “We are pleased to be working with TGRPC on their proposals for Empstead Works. We are committed to delivering meaningful engagement with the local community in Henley-on-Thames so residents can voice their thoughts and comments.”

“Our approach is guided by many years of experience in consultations. For this consultation we have created an online portal that sets outs the plans, a short video taking viewers on a virtual site visit, a newsletter that was delivered to the local community and targeted social media adverts promoting the consultation.”

“We welcome all comments on the proposals and encourage Henley Herald readers to get in touch.”

The consultation is open for comments and feedback until 15 January 2025 at empsteadworks.co.uk