Cabinet stands by decision to block land release for Maidenhead United move

Maidenhead United’s proposed move to Braywick Park suffered another setback after the council doubled down on its position to refuse the release of the land.  

The council's cabinet heard arguments from speakers for and against the move including petition organisers and sports club representatives, but voted unanimously to maintain their stance at the York House meeting yesterday (December 13).

The council refused to release the land to allow the move in July however a Magpies fan-led petition to reconsider, which gained over 2000 signatures, handed the proposal a lifeline and brought it back for cabinet debate.

Maidenhead United CEO, Jon Adams spoke at the meeting and said the move to Braywick was ‘essential’ for the future of the club.

Mr Adams said: “Please don’t be influenced by the untruths perpetuated by the objectors.

“Our proposals will provide better rugby facilities for the town, our proposals are essential for the long-term benefit of Maidenhead United, grassroots football and all we do in the community.

“If you approve the release of open space at Braywick today you will be making a decision that will have a positive impact on our community for generations - consistent with your election commitments to put community first.”

Chairman of Maidenhead Athletic Club, John Scaife, also voiced support for the move and said the club could achieve more if it were not 'constrained by the dilapidated and sadly neglected' running facilities at Braywick. Maidenhead United's proposals include a new running track.

Maidenhead Rugby Club, which is based at Braywick Park, has been an outspoken opponent of the move and its chairman, Steve Bough also spoke at the meeting against the move, along with campaigner Andrew Hill – who also voiced his concerns at July's meeting.

Councillor Lynne Jones (Old Windsor, Independent) said although there were ‘obvious benefits to the football club’ this did not extend to all sport clubs and proposed the motion to keep the land as open space. 

Cllr Jones added: “I’m finding it really hard because I can see the benefits, and I can see the social benefits but to me, we’re not using our policies that we have set down.

“I believe it should be kept as an open space, greenbelt open space for the public.

“I can’t see any new information here that would make me change my original decision.”

Move Us or Lose Us petition organiser, Shay Bottomley, also spoke at the meeting.

He said: “Naturally we see empty space as a beautiful wildlife sanctuary where deer roams free, in reality the corner [of Braywick Park] in question is adjacent to the A308."

He added: "If you still disagree that a designated sports ground is an unsuitable location then tell us where else should we go."

The condition of the Braywick Park site was echoed by Mr Adams, who described the site as a 'low quality, dilapidated and underused community sports space' and that the football club's plans were an 'enhancement' of the site.

However, the organiser of a rival petition to protect the land, Doug Watts, said that the proposal's environmental impacts were 'concerning' and urged the council to 'ensure the privilege of open space and the wellbeing of our town for future generations'.

Councillor Karen Davies (Clewer East, Lib Dem, acknowledged that the park site had been ‘neglected’ but that it was 'ripe' for improvement.

“It may not have come across that we considered the benefits against the loss of open space but they were factored in our consideration," said Cllr Davies.

“This in a space that, being adjacent to the nature reserve and the nature centre, there’s so much amazing work going on there and I would see this a being a space ripe for improving.”