Green space more vital as we reach capacity

After signing the government petition asking for a ban on greenbelt development, today I received a response from the government saying it is ‘committed to greenbelt protection’, and outlining the policy in place.

If this policy is to be upheld, there’s no way building on the golf course would be allowed.

For example, the ‘exceptional circumstances’ our council is using to justify green belt take is housing need.

Yet this is being over-delivered in the Borough Local Plan by at least 2,000 new homes, and our council’s justification for that, is that it’s for a neighbouring borough.

According to government policy, local authorities are supposed to ask neighbouring boroughs to help to prevent greenbelt development, not promote it!

The policy also says that ‘the framework recognises that green infrastructure and accessible green space are beneficial to our health and well-being.’

The golf course is publicly owned greenbelt in our town centre, perfectly placed to provide these health and wellbeing benefits for the people of Maidenhead.

We are already seeing the majority of the borough’s housing need for 2013-2033 being met in their town centre, much of it in flats, so access to greenspace is more important than ever.

DEBBIE LUDFORD Rushington Avenue

Maidenhead