Proposed development would come at a cost

Unusually this letter is not about my cabinet responsibilities but about the proposed development of a 60,000 square metre film and TV studios by Greystoke Land in my ward.

The borough welcomes new businesses to the area, but we value above all the greenbelt.

Yes, we have sacrificed a very small amount to the building of essential houses and an even smaller amount of land for commercial use.

When land for employment was considered one key factor was access to transport links which is why the only greenbelt area was adjacent to the A308M.

Yes, we did approve the development of Bray Studios, but this was on the former site of Bray Studios and is situated on an A-road with quick links to the M4.

This development has its main entrance on the Forest Green Road which is a B-road. The entrance, which will require quite a large roundabout is close to the Windsor Horse Rangers site, the members of which together with other horse riders use this road.

The road is also well used by cyclists both during the week and at weekends. Further down the road towards Oakley Green there is a wonderful primary school which creates a major traffic issue at start and end of day.

If they want to use the M4 then the nearest junction is 8/9 so they can either use the Ascot Road by Holyport College or cut through Moneyrow Green to join it at the Green or use Holyport Road.

Yes it’s greenbelt and farm land so the sop to the environment is proposed to be a 16.9 Hectare Nature Park but what about the four public footpaths that will be lost.

Gays Lane which runs the length of the site is used by walkers and cyclists who enjoy open countryside on both sides. If this goes ahead, they will have a major development along one side of the of the track. Will it bring employment? Well, yes some but looking at the Bray Studios most services are done by companies already in this business. Just look at the stream of cars leaving there to go towards Windsor and the M4.

Previous planning applications for Stables and a Shooting range have been turned down because it was inappropriate development in the greenbelt.

The decision will be made by the Maidenhead Development Management Panel eventually and as I am currently a member of this panel I will not take part because I have predetermined the decision.

I feel it is better to let residents and the applicant know now that this is wrong for Bray Ward and especially Holyport, Fifield and Oakley Green.

Cllr DAVID COPPINGER

Bray Ward