Far-reaching effect of building on greenbelt

In a letter dated August 5, 2020 to Louise Phillips, who is examining the Borough Local Plan, RBWM indicated its desire to continue to release (build on) greenbelt land in the Royal Borough despite it not being needed for the needs of residents.

Instead, RBWM stated their continued plan to build on greenbelt land to satisfy the needs of Slough Borough Council and residents from the far future.

The consequences of needlessly building on greenbelt land will be far reaching and affect the quality of life of borough residents, as well as exacerbating climate change issues, biodiversity losses and local air pollution.

For example, according to Public Health England, 69 extra people die in RBWM each year due to local air pollution from carbon emissions in the area.

This is unacceptable to residents.

In his response to my challenge, Conservative lead member for planning, Cllr David Coppinger, said to the Express ‘there is absolutely no intent that if there were any additional housing it would be used for Slough’ and ‘had I read the document those words would not have been there’.

I would like Cllr Coppinger to assure residents that the Conservatives will not release greenbelt and consequently also start to take seriously their responsibility to borough residents and their commitment to reduce carbon emissions and air pollution, to restore biodiversity, and to create infrastructure that mitigates the disruption caused by the extreme weather that this borough will face in coming years such as increased flooding and extreme heat, including the heat’s effects on exacerbating poor air quality.

These matters are inextricably linked.

The last point on Climate Change Resilience is inexplicably wholly omitted from the council’s Environment & Climate Strateg y.

Cllr WISDOM DA COSTA West Windsor Residents Association, Clewer & Dedworth West