Geoffrey Copas' plans for 23 homes in Whyteladyes Lane

The ongoing debate over the siting of affordable housing in the Cookham parish took a new twist last week when land behind Whyteladyes Lane was earmarked for potential development.

In a letter addressed to neighbours, the Cookham Society and parish and borough councillors, landowner Geoffrey Copas, of Copas Farms, announced his intention to submit outline plans for 23 homes at the rear of 99-119 Whyteladyes Lane.

Permission would be subject to an agreement that the site can only be developed and managed by a housing association and used for affordable housing on a shared ownership basis.

Mr Copas said plans would only be submitted if there is a proven need for affordable housing which is not satisfied by any other developments and said the plans were a 'natural extension' of a developed area which would have little impact on the openness of the greenbelt.

Speaking to the Advertiser, he said: "This is simply to earmark the site if there isn't space to build affordable housing elsewhere. The parish council did a survey [in 2011] and saw that there was a need for it."

In a statement, the Cookham Society said there were 'obvious questions' to be asked, particularly after Housing Solutions abandoned plans to build social housing at Payton House and sold off the Gorse Road site last month.

David Ashwanden, chairman of the society's planning committee, said a more thorough and rigorous survey of the need for affordable housing was needed and added: "If the housing association don't reckon there's enough demand I don't see how Geoffrey Copas does."

He added: "The affordable housing discussion is extremely difficult. I know there's a number of people who would love to have their children nearer to them but they can't afford to live here because of the house prices.

"There isn't a simple answer but I don't think we should be surrendering our greenbelt."

The plans are expected to be submitted this week.