CONTROVERSIAL plans to erect up to 320 homes have moved closer to fruition despite councillors being told the Royal Borough ‘does not need to build anymore’.
Despite being urged by objectors not to approve developer Wates’ plans, a majority of members sitting on the Windsor and Ascot development management gave the green light.
Campaigners believed the council ‘does not need to build’ any more houses after the government announced it was considering changing its housing targets and planning policies.
The plans include building a mix of family and flatted homes, 40 per cent of which are affordable, on 38.8 acres south of the A308 – just north of the Aldi supermarket in Dedworth Road, Windsor. It also includes a 150-pupil special educational needs school, open space for orchards, play spaces, and an outdoor gym.
Approving the outline plans does not mean development will start as the principle of the development and access to the site were only considered at this stage. Further details will be put forward at a later date.
The site, along with the 135 homes north of the A308, is allocated within the borough local plan for 450 homes (AL21), which means it is taken out of the Green Belt where policies that usually protect it no longer apply.
Speaking at the meeting on Wednesday, March 1, Jordan Van Laun from Wates said they have put measures in to achieve a net zero outcome and provide new green infrastructure. He also said they will be putting forward at least £6m in financial contributions.
Cllr Wisdom Da Costa (WWRA: Clewer & Dedworth West), who spoke an objector instead of panel member, said the “out of character” and “flawed” development strips away entire ecosystems and biodiversity at the site and the only access to the estate off the busy Dedworth Road is not acceptable and could create an air pollution hotspot.
Independent Cllr Jon Davey (Clewer & Dedworth West) raised concerns that the A308 already has high levels of air pollution, which are nearly four times as high as the World Health Organisation’s recommended level.
He insisted that there should be another access point from the A308 to ease off pressure the only access point into the site is a narrow junction from Dedworth Road.
But planning officer Sian Saadeh said they are no changes to the government’s housing numbers or planning policies yet and members should only consider the current rules and targets.
She also said there’s no “technical evidence” that it will impact air quality and insisted the access to the site is safe. Cllr Davey was told it “would not be reasonable” to place a condition to add another access that hasn’t been tested or reviewed.
READ MORE: Plans to build 320 homes near Aldi in West Windsor submitted
Members were also told the principle of development at the site is already established because the council adopted the borough local plan where concerns raised were already considered by the independent planning examiner.
Cllr Ewan Larcombe (NFDP: Datchet, Horton & Wraysbury) tried to refuse the application on the grounds of “insufficient information” but failed to apply national and council planning policies that are defendable if it went to appeal.
He said: “If we are to deliver the new homes that his country needs, new developments must have the support of local communities.
“I get the feeling that we don’t have the support of local communities and officers just hide behind policy.”
READ MORE: Wates sell off 135-homes site near A308 in West Windsor
The chairman of the panel, Cllr David Cannon (Con: Datchet, Horton & Wraysbury) reminded members they had to base their decision on fact and policy rather than emotions.
Cllr Amy Tisi (Lib Dem: Clewer East) commented: “It’s really difficult. It does feel as though you get to this point and actually the decision has mainly been made over the borough local plan process and now we’re getting to the point of signing it off.
“It can feel very frustrating to not be able to impact anything at this stage in any great meaningful sense.”
Seven councillors voted for approval whereas Cllrs Carole Da Costa (WWRA: Clewer & Dedworth East) and Larcombe voted against.
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