CAMPAIGNERS are considering legal action to block the controversial borough local plan (BLP) after the Royal Borough Council formally adopted it.
Maidenhead Great Park supporters have been urging the local authority to vote down the blueprint that earmarks multiple sites for thousands of homes in order to protect the 132-acre Maidenhead golf course from being concreted over for over 2,000 homes and keep it as greenspace.
The council says the BLP has been shaped over a decade through the required legal process, including a series of public consultation and examinations in public by independent planning inspector Louise Phillips, who found the plan to be ‘sound’ and capable of adoption.
Campaigners had their hopes dashed when the ruling Conservatives voted to formally adopt the BLP at an extraordinary full council meeting last week.
But now a GoFundMe page has been set up for Maidenhead Great Park supporters to seek legal advice to find out if they can launch a judicial review against the local plan.
They have, so far, raised over £5,000 but needs in the region of £10,000.
Debbie Walker, one of the lead campaigners, said if they decide to go for a judicial review, it must be filed within six weeks of the council meeting where the BLP was voted for adoption.
She said: “We don’t have any news on it yet – we are putting together the information needed for the lawyers to make an assessment as to whether or not we have a case. I think we might know more in a week or two’s time.”
Funds are also being raised for ecological surveys so the group can put a “robust case” forward to protect as many wildlife habitats as possible.
It will also be used to plan a series of events to spread awareness of the development of the Maidenhead golf course and the wildlife that lives there.
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On the campaign page, it reads: “We would like Maidenhead Golf Club to remain there until the end of its lease in 2039, providing an income for the council and maintaining the land as green open space.
“We would like a covenant to be placed on the land, preventing it from being developed. This will allow future generations the opportunity to make use of this vital green space for the benefit of our community, including mitigating against the worst effects of climate change.”
The has previously said the golf course is “crucial” in meeting the borough’s housing need and delivers ‘desperately needed’ family and affordable homes.
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A spokesperson for the council said climate change, biodiversity, and sustainability have been reviewed via a sustainability appraisal that will support the future development, which will be subject to a community engagement process.
They said: “Having a new sound and adopted Local Plan puts the borough in a strong position to meet, in a sustainable way, all our local housing and employment needs, to capture investment and regeneration opportunities, guard against unsupported speculative development and protect our valued natural and built historic heritage.
“While a tiny fraction of green belt development is needed in sustainable locations, the BLP still protects 82 per cent of the borough as green belt and just one per cent has been released for new homes and employment.”
Link to petition: https://www.gofundme.com/f/maidenhead-great-park
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