Undeveloped land will be ‘kept green’

Cookham: Area off Sutton Road to stay as it is, rules council

Parish councillors have opted not to develop a piece of land in the village, deciding to ‘keep it green’.

At a full council meeting last Tuesday, councillors discussed whether they wanted to pursue some form of development on a piece of land adjacent to Black Butt Cottages, off Sutton Road.

The owner of the land had met with councillors to discuss whether they wanted to use it for some kind of community purpose – with a village car park coming up as a

Parish councillors have decided to keep an area of undeveloped land green. Councillors had met with the owner of the land to discuss its potential use for the community.

possibility.

Cllr Jane Perry said: “I had a meeting with residents who had heard about this and were extremely worried.

“They are not very keen on the idea of a car park because they say a number of cars are broken into in the current car park.

“There would have to be lighting in a new car park and the residents would not be happy because of security issues.”

Cllr Peter Roe added: “The feedback we got on the Borough Local Plan is for preserving the greenbelt.

“I think we should keep it green.”

Also at the meeting, councillors heard how superfast broadband could be getting closer to reality for residents stuck with slow internet.

Cllr Iain Herd told the meeting how parts of Cookham Dean are eligible for an internet speed upgrade, funded by the Government.

Superfast Berkshire is the organisation carrying out these works, but it is not yet clear when installation will commence.

Cllr Herd agreed to invite project leaders to the council’s Annual Parish Conference in March to give them a chance to explain what will take place.