‘Net gain’ is the biodiversity aim
Maidenhead: But campaigners cast doubt on ambitions
Trees will be lost if the Maidenhead Golf Club housing scheme goes ahead but developer CALA Homes claims the project will deliver a ‘biodiversity net gain’.
Plans to build 2,000 homes on the 132-acre site have faced significant opposition from residents due to the potential loss of open green space which has been described as ‘Maidenhead’s green lung’.
Campaigners also fear the housing development could lead to the ‘destruction’ of protected species on the site.
Andrew Aldridge, land director for CALA Homes (Chiltern) said the company does not believe wildlife will be lost on the site due to construction work.
He said: “I don’t think we will necessarily lose wildlife. Protected species are protected by law.
“Those environments they are currently living in, the green credentials are not that great because it [Maidenhead Golf Course] is so well tended.”
CALA could not confirm how many trees it expects to lose if the project gets the green light but the developer said it is committed to replanting.
“We’re responsible developers and we want to do the right thing,” Andrew added.
“Clearly we understand that while we’re not going to damage the environment, trees are going to be removed but they need to be tended to and re-planted wherever possible.
“The whole idea is there will be a biodiversity net gain on the site.”
Ancient woodland at Rushington Copse is set to be retained if the golf course development gets the go ahead.
But campaigners from the Maidenhead Great Park group have raised concerns over the size of the buffer zone proposed between potential new houses and the historic woodland.
Tina Quadrino, chairwoman of the group, said: “CALA’s plans do indicate they will keep the ancient woodland at Rushington Copse, but the buffer zone set aside around the wood is only 15 metres.
“This is not nearly enough to shield this precious and now rare habitat, where complex communities of plants, fungi, insects and other microorganisms have developed over hundreds of years.”
She said the campaign group estimates thousands of trees will be lost to the development and a biodiversity net gain can only be achieved by re-planting in a different location.
“That’s both illogical at a time of climate crisis and it’s unfair on the people of Maidenhead who stand to lose so much by this over-development of their town – including a significant increase in traffic and air pollution, pressure on infrastructure, as well as the loss of publicly-owned open space.”