A PROTEST walk opposing future plans to build hundreds of homes at a 132-acre greenfield site is to go ahead this Friday.

Maidenhead Great Park is set to go for round four to voice opposition to the ‘environmentally damaging’ development of over 2,600 homes at South West Maidenhead, which includes the Maidenhead golf course.

The site is part of the adopted borough local plan (BLP), which earmarks multiple sites across the Royal Borough for thousands of homes. The local plan has been deemed “sound” and capable of adoption by an independent planning inspector after a rigorous examination process and public consultations.

A judicial review against the BLP has been formally lodged by Maidenhead Great Park.

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The environmental campaign group will be walking on the public footpath that cuts partway in the golf course site on Friday, April 22, which falls on Earth Day.

Tina Quadrino, leader of Maidenhead Great Park, has urged as many people as possible to join in the event.

She said: “This massive over-development of our town will turn it into a major construction site, causing significant disruption and stress to the people of Maidenhead, and surrounding villages over the next 10 to 15 years.  There will be more traffic, congestion, noise, flooding and air pollution, as well as more pressure on local infrastructure, health and social services.

Slough Observer: Maidenhead Great Park protesters outside town hallMaidenhead Great Park protesters outside town hall (Image: Newsquest staff)

“The golf course development will destroy woodlands and wildlife habitats, as well as Maidenhead’s green lung.  It will also take away our opportunity to create Maidenhead Great Park, and to take steps to make our town a better place to live in the face of climate change.”

Maidenhead Great Park’s footpath procession will begin at the Shoppenhanger’s Road end of the golf course footpath, at 6.30pm.  The footpath entrance is next to Frederick’s Hotel & Spa on Shoppenhanger’s Road, Maidenhead SL6 2PZ.

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The Royal Borough Council has previously said only one per cent of its greenbelt land is being developed and is consulting to make the South West Maidenhead site sustainable.

A spokesperson said previously: “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.”