Theresa May has responded to the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead’s Borough Local Plan consultation, which will help set the long-term strategy for managing development and supporting infrastructure in the local area up to 2030. When finalised, the Borough Local Plan will set out what development is required in the Royal Borough and which areas should be protected. Theresa’s response to the consultation emphasised the importance of protecting the Green Belt and making progress on the rejuvenation of Maidenhead town centre.
The Royal Borough has been consulting on the ‘preferred options’ version of the Borough Local Plan, which asks for views on the suitability for development of several areas within the Green Belt and on the edge of settlements.
In her response to the consultation, Theresa:
- Supported the Royal Borough’s overall vision but emphasised that development on Green Belt land should only occur in exceptional circumstances;
- Stated that the need to rejuvenate Maidenhead town centre must be a top priority;
- Welcomed support for the Maidenhead Waterways Project, and said that this must be considered as a key part of the rejuvenation of the town centre rather than simply a ‘water management’ issue;
- Supported proposals for a new hospital at Junction 8/9 of the M4, and stated that hospital-led development, rather than housing, should be considered the priority on this site;
- Called for robust rules relating to gypsy and traveller sites, to avoid a repeat of the current situation at Shurlock Road, where it has not yet been possible to remove an illegal traveller camp despite action being taken by the council over a number of years; and
- Said that inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding should be avoided.
Commenting, Theresa said: “I have a strong interest in ensuring that development in the Royal Borough is appropriate for the area and has the support of the local community. There is a clear need to address population growth and provide more houses, but at the same time we must protect what is best about the local area including its Green Belt land, open countryside, nature and wildlife, and historic sites and buildings.”
“I welcome the Royal Borough’s overall vision and particularly their support for the rejuvenation of Maidenhead town centre. We must ensure that any future development is suitable for the area and that we avoid development on the Green Belt as far as is possible.”
More information on the Borough Local Plan is available here
