Major plan for 200 homes in key Cookham BLP site presented to RBWM

Major plans for 200 homes in Cookham have been formally submitted after the site was allocated for development in the Borough Local Plan.

These homes are planned for land off Cannondown Road, in an open field north of Lower Mount Farm, Long Lane (also known under the site name AL37).

The site covers 8.78 hectares across two ‘parcels’ – one for 160 homes (site A, ref 23/02019/OUT)) and another for 34 (site B, 23/02022/OUT). Outline applications have also been submitted for a total of six ‘self-build’ homes across the two sites.

The proposed development has proved controversial, with objections raised to a stakeholder masterplan for the project, which was discussed at a cabinet meeting in March.

Former Cookham borough councillor Gerry Clark highlighted ‘major concerns’ from residents regarding infrastructure such as school places, accessibility to medical centre facilities and impact on traffic.

However, he also acknowledged the need for affordable family homes – 40 per cent of the proposed development would be deemed ‘affordable’.

Hybrid plannning applications for site A and site B were formally put forward to the Royal Borough on August 11.

The smaller site B is proposed to have a mixture of one, two, three and four-bed dwellings, while site A would have some five-bed houses as well.

The houses are proposed to be predominantly two storeys high, with some 2.5 storeys.

Site A would provide 66 affordable homes, while site B provides 14.

Provision is made within Site A for 362 parking spaces, with 80 parking spaces provided in Site B.

Twenty per cent of new car parking spaces across each Site A will be provided with active EV charging facilities. The remaining 80 per cent will have infrastructure in place ‘to allow ease of installation.’

On Site B, all homes would have access to EV infrastructure.

Both applications include the same point of vehicular access from Cannondown Road.

The existing bus stops on that road would be relocated.

To create ‘genuine alternative options to the private car,’ the scheme provides new pedestrian and cycle connections.

The application says the plans feature landscaped open spaces and boundaries for recreation, play and wildlife, while
sustainable drainage will ‘enhance greenspace character and biodiversity.’

New trees and replacement hedges are to be ‘a key element’ of the landscape design for the green space and public realm.

Streets and spaces ‘will enrich the character of Cookham,’
including tree-lined streets throughout.

Evidence of several protected species was recorded at the site, including bats and slow worms. It is ‘also likely’ that birds could be adversely affected.

Long-term bird nesting, bat roosting and foraging opportunities ‘will be maintained, if not enhanced’ through new landscape planting, bird and bat boxes, and ‘sensitive lighting design.’

The loss of ‘low-quality’ trees is ‘unavoidable’ but both sites’ principal trees will be retained and there will be new planting.

Bellway’s representatives Turley said: “It is considered that the proposals can be integrated without significant long term adverse effects to the receiving visual environment.

“A review of paintings by Sir Stanley Spencer, in-line with the Cookham Village Design Statement, identified that the majority of the viewpoints from which the artworks were composed would be unaffected.”

To see the submitted plans, enter references 23/02019/OUT or 23/02022/OUT into the Windsor and Maidenhead council planning portal.