Proposal to build on greenbelt

Greenbelt land in the Royal Borough could be reclassified and made available for housing, if a proposed motion is passed at a cabinet meeting tonight.

The council is under pressure from the Government to find land on which to develop and so could target greenbelt patches close to the town centre.

One site mentioned at the planning and environment overview and scrutiny panel on Wednesday last week is near Stafferton Way in Maidenhead, in close proximity to a sewage works.

Cllr Vicki Howes (Lib Dem, Cox Green) said she didn't even think of that spot as being greenbelt.

Bray parish chairman, David Coppinger, blamed central government for pressurising the borough, but added: "There are brownbelt areas within the existing settlement which could be developed on and I don't think the council has targeted these enough."

Deputy leader, Cllr Alison Knight, who put forward the motion, tried to reassure the public and councillors.

"We have pledged to protect the greenbelt and I think people are getting very unnecessarily worried about this," she said.

"It will be good for Maidenhead town centre and will enable regeneration and I think people are getting very concerned when they really don't need to be."

Log on tomorrow for a report from the cabinet meeting.