Published: Monday, 8th September, 2008 12:00
Have your say on minerals and waste plan
By Inderdeep Bains
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RESIDENTS are being urged to take up their last chance to influence the plans for minerals and waste in the Royal Borough.
Big issues like what happens to waste and where to find the sand and gravel needed by the country’s builders over the next 20 years are at the centre of a major strategic plan that Royal Borough residents can comment on before it goes to the government later this year.
From Monday (15/09) people will have their last chance to influence the strategy for dealing with minerals and waste in Berkshire, which, following the current consultation, will be submitted to the government to undergo a public examination early next year.
Published by the Berkshire Joint Strategic Planning Unit based in the Royal Borough, the strategy considers big issues, including government policy which says Berkshire has to provide a total of more than 30 million tonnes of sand and gravel over the life of the plan, to meet the needs of the building industry.
Cllr Alison Knight, lead member for planning and housing, said; “These are issues that affect everyone in the community. We all contribute to the waste mountain, despite our increasing efforts to recycle more, and the demand for materials needed for the building industry just keeps on growing, sometimes with adverse effects on local communities.
“That’s why it is vital we plan for the future and control the ways used to deal with these demands to protect our quality of life and our environment for generations to come. This is one of the most important plans for the future of our community and I encourage everyone to take part in the consultation so that their views can be taken into account.”
The consultation runs until October 27. Copies of the documents are available to view in the borough’s main libraries and in the customer service centre, Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead, or on the Berkshire Joint Strategic Planning Unit website www.berks-jspu.gov.uk
To receive an electronic copy of the response forms and/or the plan email the joint unit at minerals.waste@rbwm.gov.uk. For a paper copy of the plan or general enquiries call 01628 796518.
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