Third try for 80-home plan

Maidenhead: Panel vote on Ray Mill Road East project

A controversial planning application to build 80 homes on Maidenhead open space was due to be debated by councillors last night (Wednesday).

The Maidenhead Development Management Committee was set to convene to discuss the proposals from developer, CALA Homes.

The plans, which seek to construct the homes on land to the south of Ray Mill

Road East, are controversial ones due to concerns over flooding and the provision of affordable housing and open space.

A planning application was originally put forward in February 2020 but was rejected, with plans resubmitted in January.

These were due to be discussed at August’s planning committee meeting, however there was anger

after the proposals were withdrawn.

CALA claimed that the application would not have been determined in a ‘quorate and fair manner,’ while opposition councillors questioned this, as well as a last minute change of panel members.

The plans have now come forward for a third time and are set to prove contentious once more as planning officers have recommended councillors reject the proposals.

This is due to familiar concerns over flood risk, and the ‘absence of a signed legal agreement’ to secure on-site affordable housing and open space.

These reasons for refusal are the same as the ones given for the withdrawn application in August.

One objector to the plans said that the withdrawal of the application before the last meeting ‘was frustrating and left many questions unanswered.’

They added: “In light of this [I] would question whether any future planning meetings in relation to this development can be considered fair and independent given councillors not entitled to vote were sitting on the panel for the meeting and when removed, CALA Homes withdrew its application immediately.”

The Royal Borough’s planning officers maintain that ‘correct process has been followed’.

W Visit maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk for the decision.