Public consultation opens on greenbelt development

Public consultation opens today on controversial plans to build homes on greenbelt sites in the Royal Borough.

The proposals are part of the draft Borough Local Plan, a 15-year blueprint for development in the Royal Borough.

The council has identified 23 locations which could be developed on to meet its government set target of building 12,627 households by 2030.

The plan is expected to be finalised early in 2015.

Cllr MJ Saunders, cabinet member for planning and property, said: "Without a Local Plan there is a real risk that decisions will be made 'on appeal'. This means a national body could decide to allow development in the area, overriding the council's refusal."

The council says that an agreed local plan will enable the borough to collect cash from developers which pays for schools, roads, parks and public spaces.

During the consultation period the public will be able to have their say on the draft plan, before it is submitted to government inspectors for final approval.

Hard copies of the plan can be found in Maidenhead Town Hall, York House in Windsor, and libraries across the borough.

The consultation runs till Friday March 7.

Below are the 23 sites the council has suggested for development.

• Area to the west of Whyteladyes Lane, Cookham Rise

• Spencers Farm, East of Cookham Road, Maidenhead

• Land to west of Sheephouse Road, Maidenhead

• Strip to the west of Cannon Lane, Cox Green

• Area south of railway and north of Breadcroft Lane, Cox Green

• Maidenhead Golf Course

• Area to the west of A404M, Maidenhead

• Land north of Kimbers Lane, Maidenhead

• Area south of Harvest Hill Road, Maidenhead

• Stafferton Way, Braywick

• Land to the west of Holyport, between Ascot Road and Holyport Road

• Land to the south of A308, east of Oakley Green Road and north of Dedworth Road, Windsor

• Area south of Old Ferry Drive, Wraysbury

• Land to the south of the Drive, Wraysbury

• Plot to south of Waylands, Wraysbury

• Land east of St Andrew's Close, Wraysbury

• Tithe Farm, Wraysbury

• Area north of Church Road, Old Windsor

• Land to the west of Old Windsor and north of Crimp Hill, Old Windsor

• Area south of Ascot High Street

Visit www.rbwm.gov.uk for details.