Plans to build 52 houses in Manor Lane rejected

Plans to build a housing estate on the former Shoppenhangers Manor site have been labelled as 'positively dangerous' by councillors.

The application to construct up to 52 homes next to the Holiday Inn in Manor Lane was unanimously refused by the Maidenhead development control panel on Wednesday.

Developer hotel owners HI (Maidenhead Ltd) wanted to build a mixture of two and three bedroom houses and two and one bedroom flats.

Cllr Philip Love (Con, Belmont) said: "The illustrative plan shows a cramped layout with the development being dominated by hard surfacing and roads with no room for decent landscaping."

Manor Lane home-owner Mike Doodson presented his objections to councillors at the meeting.

The 44-year-old said the development would lead to a 'five times density increase' in the area and create a 'visual mismatch' between the existing houses and the proposed estate.

Shoppenhangers Manor had stood on the site since 1915 but was pulled down in 2007.

HI (Maidenhead) Ltd refused to comment on whether it intended to appeal against the decision.