Controversial plans advance

Maidenhead: Proposals to build 80 homes

Contentious plans to build 80 homes on open space in Maidenhead advanced at a meeting last week, despite concerns that the proposals would ‘pose a risk to life.’

The planning committee met at Maidenhead Town Hall on November 17 to discuss CALA Homes' plans for land south of

Ray Mill Road East, which were coming before the panel for the third time.

The latest proposals – like the two applications before it – were recommended for refusal over flood risk, while officers also raised concerns over the lack of signed legal agreements with regards to affordable housing and open space.

But after a debate, members voted on a motion put forward by panel member Councillor Ross McWilliams (Con, Cox Green) – that the application be deferred to the council’s head of planning – subject to referral to the Secretary of State – to approve the application.

This also includes the completion of legal agreements.

However, Ray Mill Road East resident Debbie Mccullough told the meeting: “We strongly object to the development because we believe that it is fundamentally dangerous, posing a risk to life.

“This is the third time the same application has been submitted and the third time officers have recommended refusal.

“If the committee were to approve it [tonight] we can only assume that our lives have become secondary to the financial benefits of pushing this through.”

Representing CALA, John Richards, a planning director, told councillors: “We believe the application represents an unparalleled opportunity to deliver

much-needed new housing within an established, sustainable, urban location within Maidenhead, away from the greenbelt.”

He added that CALA was ‘100 per cent committed’ to signing legal agreements.

On flood risk, Mr Richards said that the plans have passed a sequential test – despite it being located within a flood zone area.

“In the unlikely event of an extreme flood, all proposed dwellings will remain 100 per cent dry,” he said.

Councillors sitting on the panel were divided, with Cllr McWilliams saying that any formal decision would be left with the Secretary of State, before moving his motion, which was seconded by Cllr Gerry Clark (Con, Bisham and Cookham).

Cllr Geoffrey Hill (TBF, Oldfield) said: “It is an excellent scheme, there is no doubt about that. [But] we do have flooding hanging over us. The difficulty is that climate change has shot up the agenda.”

Cllr Joshua Reynolds (Lib Dem, Furze Platt) felt that the issue of flooding was too much and put forward a motion to refuse, which was seconded by Cllr Hill.

Both motions were then voted, with each one resulting in a tie of four votes for and against, with Cllr Leo Walters (Con, Bray) abstaining twice.

After Cllr Reynold's motion fell, the casting vote for Cllr McWilliam’s motion rested with meeting chairman Cllr Phil Haseler (Con, Cox Green), who voted for.