Other schools have built on greenbelt land

I write in response to three letters in Viewpoint (December 3) concerning the Claires Court School redevelopment plans.

Just for Mr Gavin Ames’ benefit I will declare my hand as thus; I am a former pupil of the school, parent of two children at the school and a lifetime Maidonian .

I do hope Mr Ames is satisfied with my declaration. For the record my children will not benefit from the redevelopment due to their respective ages, so that should allow me to have my say, in line with his own baffling logic!

I would also take to task Mr Ames’ use of the word ‘vitriolic’ when describing Lin Chen’s letter (November 26).

Unlike Mr Ames, I don’t need a dictionary to know what ‘vitriolic’ means but I would suggest he’s had a very sheltered life.

Cllr Haseler wrote last week that his concerns are in part supported by his residence in Cox Green of 35 years.

I’ve lived in Maidenhead for over 45 years and I can tell Cllr Haseler and his fellow councillors that during this time their calamitous planning proposals have changed our town and surrounding area for the worse. Now we have a proposal that provides so many obvious positives and they choose to reject it. That is the rank hypocrisy that is clear for all to see!

There is just no common sense, no vision and no overall ambition for Maidenhead according to Cllr Haseler’s view, although

I’m sure it’s more his own view from his window that he is more worried about!

Other schools have been built on greenbelt land in Maidenhead in recent years so consistency must be applied, whether planning be for a state or private school.

In my opinion, the school has not been treated fairly by the council throughout this process and to have Cllr Ross McWilliams (December 3rd) include a pointed attack on the school plans as part of a wider letter just shows that to be evidently true.

I just can’t believe that we aren’t moving on with this project and celebrating a local success story.

It really is sad and unfortunately sums up the jumbled thinking of our council.

D SHEPHERD Maidenhead Riverside