Residents in Windsor have complained about plans to build a 115 ft. high ferris wheel next to Windsor Castle.
Plans have been lodged with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council (RBWM) for the wheel to be in place in Alexandra Gardens from March to September this year.
However, locals argue it would be noisy and impact on their quality of life as well as destroy views of the 950-year-old castle.
Roses Pleasure Parks, the operators of the 144 person capacity wheel, are planning to charge adults around £8 and children £6 for three rotations of the wheel which would last between 15 to 20 minutes.
It would be open 11am to 9pm on weekends and school holidays and from 1pm to 9pm during off-peak weekdays.
The ferris wheel plans submitted by Roses Pleasure Parks have attracted criticism from locals
The new wheel would be less than 400m from Windsor Castle, one of the royal residences
The wheel would be located at Alexandra Gardens in Windsor (Photo: Proposed location in the gardens)
Photo of the proposed new wheel at Windsor’s Alexandra Gardens which would operate from March to September
In planning documents, Rose Pleasure Parks said the plans would bring significant economic benefits to the royal town.
They said: ‘Alexandra Gardens is uniquely positioned alongside the Coach Park and railway station in that it is seen by residents and visitors to Windsor using public transport, as well as members of the public on foot.
‘Any attraction built in Alexandra Gardens is a great draw to the visiting public and we feel an Observation Wheel will draw a lot of tourists to Alexandra Gardens, during the summer months, as it will offer a unique view of the town of Windsor and the Castle itself that cannot otherwise be seen from the ground.
‘Along with benefits to the Council this will also benefit local businesses from the increased footfall to the area.’
Roses Pleasure Parks said they expected to generate between £209,563.20 for a five percent occupancy to £4,191,264 for a 100 percent occupancy during a 22-week operating period.
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, which own Alexandra Gardens, are expected to get a share of the revenue from the wheel or a payment of rent from Rose Pleasure Parks.
The Windsor and Eton Society lodged an an objection with the council and wrote: ‘The extensive period during which the Observation wheel, together with associated equipment and facilities, is proposed to be installed, operational and then removed from Alexandra Gardens extends over the whole Spring and Summer.
‘That period is a time when residents and visitors habitually enjoy being in the lovely surroundings of the gardens.
‘Many people bring balls and picnics to enjoy in this park – a pleasant recreational, leisure and green space in the centre of Windsor, immediately adjacent to the Windsor Town Centre Conservation Area.’
The group also pointed out that the Alexandra Gardens had an ice rink during the winter and said: ‘Permitting this proposal would also adversely affect the setting of nearby Heritage Assets and views of the Castle both from near and far.
A wheel has been operated in Alexandra Gardens in Windsor since 2006 (Photo: One from 2009)
Locals say their view of Windsor Castle could be spoiled because of the plans for the wheel
Others argue that their quality of life in Windsor would be impacted from the wheel being in place
Alexandra Gardens, located near Windsor Castle, is the planned location for the ferris wheel
‘The height of the proposed wheel at 35m would result in overlooking of properties in close by Bridgewater Terrace and the noise would adversely affect and harm the residents’ amenity.
‘The residents would have virtually no respite between 10am and 9pm from the activities of the period of the ice rink and its fairground installations, and from 10am to 9pm during the period of the activities of this wheel proposal.
‘This would represent almost continuous disturbance of light and noise for the residents throughout the whole year.’
James Cannon, who lives on nearby Bridgewater Terrace, said: ‘I live in close proximity to Alexandra Gardens and have recently found out about the proposed ferris wheel installation via posters installed on lamp posts at the entrance to the gardens.
‘I am slightly surprised that the neighbouring properties were not informed directly about this application?
‘In any case, it is my view that the proposed development is wholly inappropriate for the gardens.
‘The proposed development takes up a significant amount of space, right in front
of the bandstand, and would impact the ability of people to use and enjoy the gardens as they currently do.’
Sally Shanly, who also lives on Bridgewater Terrace, said the plans were a ‘self-serving and ill-conceived, destructive plan for Windsor.’
She also claimed many locals had learnt of the plans through ‘word of mouth’.
The temporary wheel proposed for Alexandra Gardens was recently approved by councillors at RBWM’s Windsor and Ascot Development Management Committee.
A wheel at the park first operated in 2006 with Roses Pleasure Parks applying to the local council to build a smaller wheel in July 2021.
Roses Pleasure Parks have been approached for comment.
