LEGAL action against a major plan that sees thousands of homes built within the Royal Borough has been officially lodged with the court.
Campaigners from Maidenhead Great Park filed their challenge of the borough local plan (BLP), which earmarks multiple sites for thousands of homes to meet the borough’s future population and economic growth, on March 22.
The BLP was approved earlier this year by the ruling Conservatives after the independent planning inspectorate deemed it to be sound and capable of adoption following a rigorous examination period.
Within the plan, it sees greenbelt sites earmarked for development, including the contentious Maidenhead golf course, which is reserved for over 2,000 family homes.
Campaigners labelled this as “environmentally damaging” given the climate crisis, but the council has said only one per cent of its greenbelt land is being developed and will be consulting to make the golf course development sustainable.
Now the group is seeking to overturn the BLP via a judicial review after it successfully raised enough funds to pay for legal fees.
Tina Quadrino, chair of the Maidenhead Great Park, said: “We are sad and deeply disappointed that we have had to take this step, but our council has consistently failed to listen to the concerns of local people regarding the damaging effects the BLP will have on the local environment, and on the people of Maidenhead and surrounding villages.
“Our council has let us down by adopting a plan that will see hundreds of acres of green belt land developed. With this action, we are standing up for local people and future generations who will benefit from the protection of their precious greenspace.”
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A council spokesperson said it “remains confident” that due process has been followed in making the plan and the adopted BLP “continues” to have weight in the planning process.
They added: “A sustainability appraisal was undertaken in the development of the BLP, looking at the social, environmental and economic aspects of proposed development.
“This includes issues around sustainability, climate change and biodiversity, and will also support the future development of a Place-making Supplementary Planning Document for South West Maidenhead, which will be subject to a community engagement process.
“Having a new sound and adopted BLP 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.
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“While a tiny fraction of green belt development is needed in sustainable locations, the Borough Local Plan still protects 82 per cent of the borough as green belt and just one per cent has been released for new homes and employment.”
Campaigners are still asking for funds via their Go Fund Me campaign in order for this legal work to continue, which requires a further £15,000.
To donate to the campaign, go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/maidenhead-great-park.
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