Campaigners plan naming event for mature woods
Maidenhead: Aim is to help protect golf course land from future development
Woodland at Maidenhead Golf Course is set to be officially named ‘Desborough Woods’ as part of a campaign to protect the sprawling green space from future housing.
Developer CALA Homes has submitted plans to the council to build up to 1,500 homes at the 132-acre site which, if approved, will result in the removal of trees and vegetation.
While five acres of ancient woodland at the golf course is named Rushington Copse, the Maidenhead Great Park campaign group say the rest of the woodland areas are unnamed.
A ceremony has been organised on Easter Monday, April 1, where the woodlands will be named ‘Desborough Woods’.
Tina Quadrino, chairwoman of the Maidenhead Great Park group, said: “Around 40 per cent of the publicly owned land at Maidenhead Golf Course occupies is woodland, providing important habitats for wildlife, including deer and many types of woodland birds, as well as protected species like owls, bats and kestrels.
“Protecting greenspace and biodiversity is a vital part of the steps we must take to prepare for and mitigate against the effects of climate change.
“We hope lots of local people will take the chance to join our woodland naming event to explore some of the woodland areas at Maidenhead golf course and find out more about the wildlife that depends on them.”
On January 8, developer CALA Homes officially submitted an outline planning application for up to 1,500 homes in a scheme dubbed the Elizabeth Quarter.
CALA Homes previously told the Advertiser that a replanting programme would be arranged for any trees which are felled if the controversial housing plans get the go ahead.
Woodland ecologist Martin Woolner, one of the founders of Wild Maidenhead, added: “Biodiversity and well-functioning ecosystems are critical for human existence, economic prosperity and a good quality of life.
“The 50 plus acres of broadleaved woodland and scrubland is an important place for nature in Maidenhead.
“There are hundreds of oak trees of around 100 years in age which provide vital habitats for many species, including butterflies, moths, woodland birds, bees and beetles.
“Numbers of insects and birds have declined dramatically in the last 20 years. If we are to halt this decline in our natural world, we must stop the destruction of woodlands and other habitats that support biodiversity.”
The Maidenhead Great Park group said the woodland naming event has the backing of Windsor and Maidenhead Council and Maidenhead Golf Course.
To take part in Maidenhead Great Park’s woodland naming event people can access the golf course via the public footpath at Clifton Close (off Braywick Road) or Shoppenhangers Road, next to Frederick’s Hotel.
The event is taking place from 4.30pm and will also feature woodland walks led by the Wild Maidenhead environmental group.