PLANS to build 24 homes in Wexham Lea have been approved for the third time following a long feud between Slough Borough Council and Wexham Court Parish Council.
Councillors on the planning committee unanimously approved plans for the third time on Wednesday, May 26, after a lengthy battle between the councils.
Plans include 10 two-beds and 14 three-bedroom homes with gardens and garages to be built on land north of Norway Drive in Wexham Lea.
The proposal, which was put forward by Slough Urban Renewal, a joint partnership between the borough council and Morgan Sindall Investments, was originally approved in 2018.
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However, Wexham Court Parish Council, who is the leaseholder of the land, sought to terminate the contract when it became controlled by the Independents to uphold their manifesto pledge of protecting open space land.
The then Labour-controlled parish signed an agreement with the council back in 2016 to surrender this land worth £370,000 where the 24 homes are proposed to be built.
A high court battle was looming last year – but the meeting heard this disagreement has been settled outside the courtroom and the parish will sign a section 106 agreement to surrender the land.
The parish council has until the end of September to sign the finalised deal, which includes open space ‘enhancements’ with the new homes.
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Councillor Pavitar K. Mann (Labour: Britwell and Northborough), lead member for planning, said: “Frankly, I think it’s a disgrace that the actions of the parish council have sought to frustrate and delay the provision of much-needed family housing and implementing a previously approved scheme – not for any legitimate rationale and certainly not for any planning reason.
“I welcome this scheme and I don’t want any further delay in implementing this and I look forward to seeing these houses being built.
“Perhaps 18 months later than they should’ve started due to these actions – but better late than never.”
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