Maidenhead: "polarising" footpath plans at Battlemead Common approved

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council bought the land in 2018 to preserve and provide additional public green open space for the public to access in a controlled way.

Since the purchase, the council has been under pressure from both sides who want to access the field as public space while the other side wanted it closed off or for the plans to be delayed in order to preserve nature, biodiversity, and 46 species that inhabit there.

The plans, which were three years in the making, were dubbed “polarising” by Cllr Gerry Clark (Con: Bisham & Cookham), lead member for highways and infrastructure.

READ MORE: Plan to protect wildlife at Battlemead Common updated

At a cabinet meeting on Thursday, September 30, senior councillors approved to add a new footpath in the east field, running parallel to the River Thames with a ‘dog-proof’ fence and hedgerow separating from the rest of the field.

According to council papers, this will reduce the impact on Battlemead Common from people and their dogs during the summer months.

This will also stop dog attacks on the wildlife, such as deer, but Cllr Stimson ruled out closing the path immediately if another attack happens after it is implemented. However, the path will be reviewed on an annual basis.

The fencing and path are to be installed by the end of this November and access to east field will be open to the public by April 2022.

The eastern field will see a new path and fencing installed

While it have some impact on the open space, Cllr Donna Stimson (Con: St Mary’s), lead member for parks and countryside, insisted they will protect and enhance wildlife and biodiversity, believing they have met the ‘right balance’.

However, campaigners of a petition, which garnered nearly 900 signatures, remained unconvinced and urged the council to keep the 110-acre field closed to the public.

Speaking on behalf of the lead petitioner at the meeting, Phoebe Ibison spoke of concern the plans and the public could have on the wildlife and biodiversity on the field.

She also warned cabinet members not to follow their predecessor’s “reckless actions” when it comes to decisions on climate change and the environment.

READ MORE: Developers of 80 Maidenhead homes reveal why plans were withdrawn

Ms Ibison said: “The pandemic has made it blatantly obvious of the importance of green spaces to public health, and while these places must be available to residents, we must also find genuinely effective ways to work in harmony with nature.”

Bisham & Cookham Cllr Mandy Brar (Lib Dem) also took issue starting the works immediately could damage wildlife migrating during the winter months and called for the works to be delayed.

Council leader Andrew Johnson (Con: Hurley & Walthams), said: “I am convinced that we have struck an appropriate balance with this report before us this evening.

“The majority, if not all, of the eastern field bar the section marked will be left effectively to nature. The rest of the site will be managed in a sympathetic and sensitive manner going forward, which means that we have achieved our original objective of buying land to secure its future for open space.”