A CONCERNED councillor said the ward that he represents ‘will turn to concrete’ if the controversial housing plan at Maidenhead golf course goes ahead.
Following three online sessions with the public about the sites, the draft South West Maidenhead Development Framework Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) is to go out for a six-week consultation.
The SPD, which cost £172,000, is to provide further guidance and information on future planning applications at the sites, which are earmarked within the adopted borough local plan, that will be a material consideration when the plans come forward.
The sites included are the Maidenhead golf course and land south of Harvest Hill Road (AL13) – which 2,600 homes (30 per cent affordable), schools, and a local centre could be built – the triangle site for employment (AL14), and Braywick Park to be a public park, special needs school, a wildlife zone, and a sports hub (AL15).
But the plans have proven to be controversial where opposition councillors and campaigners have called the potential development “environmental vandalism” and are attempting to overturn the local plan via a judicial review.
Speaking at the cabinet meeting on Thursday, June 23, Cllr Geoff Hill (TBFI: Oldfield) said the “overwhelming” response to this development is negative and believed the council won’t meet its biodiversity aims after the “mass destruction” of trees for homes.
He said: “It [Oldfield ward] is effectively turning into concrete and I can justify that by saying when I held this ward during my first two-terms, I also held the town centre as well but development is so prolific that my ward got cut in half because so many dwellings are being built.
“The amount of greenspace we’re losing is horrific. We’re losing greenspace at Braywick Park probably to a football club.”
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Meanwhile, Maidenhead resident Andrew Hill said: “I don’t think we should be complaining about South Americans killing off the Amazon Rainforest because we’re doing the same here.
“The golf club – this is our Amazon, it’s on our doorstep and we should protect it for leisure and biodiversity.”
Cllr Phil Haseler (Con: Cox Green), lead member for planning, said policy requires developers to provide a 10 per cent net gain in biodiversity and the borough local plan requires planners to avoid, mitigate, or compensate loss of biodiversity in the area.
He admitted some trees will be lost but the SPD sets out requirements to retain trees and bushes “wherever possible” and keep ancient woodland Rushington Copse.
Cllr Haseler said: “The developers are aware how sensitive and emotive this matter is – we all are.
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“They want to take people on this journey. They don’t want to alienate themselves from it. This is a placemaking location and they want to do the best – and they will do the best – as far as tree conservation is concerned.”
He encouraged everyone to engage with the future survey to give their views on the SPD and the site.
Senior councillors approved for the council to commence a six-week consultation from early July to mid-August.
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