A petition containing over 1000 signatories was submitted to the Council on 17 January 2016. In accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Constitution, it was requested by the lead petitioner that the petition be debated at a full Council meeting.

The petition reads as follows:

‘We the undersigned petition The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead to designate the Poundfield area in Cookham, including land adjacent to the Nursery School, as a Local Green Space in the new Local Plan’

The Constitution provides for a maximum time of 30 minutes to debate such petitions; this can be overruled at the Mayor’s discretion.

In accordance with the Constitution, the order of speaking shall be as follows:

A petition containing over 1000 signatories was submitted to the Council on 17 January 2016. In accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Constitution, it was requested by the lead petitioner that the petition be debated at a full Council meeting.

The petition read as follows:

‘We the undersigned petition The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead to designate the Poundfield area in Cookham, including land adjacent to the Nursery School, as a Local Green Space in the new Local Plan’

The Interim Planning Policy Manager introduced the petition. He highlighted that the petition creator had stated that Poundfield was a crucial green space which was part of the fundamental character of Cookham and the request was directed to safeguarding Cookham’s essential character. The Borough Local Plan was the only avenue for designation as there was no Neighbourhood Plan in Cookham.

Mr David Ashwanden, Lead Petitioner, thanked the borough on behalf of the Cookham Society. The petition and report recommendation were both about preserving Poundfield, a 15 acre site in the Cookham Conservation area. Poundfield was ‘quintessential Cookham’ and was cherished by both residents and visitors. A key section in the Cookham Village Design statement was that Cookham was defined by its green spaces; Poundfield was a central green space. The online petition had been supplemented by a hard copy petition; at times people were queuing to sign. Poundfield ticked all the boxes: it was the right size and in the right place. Visitors to the Stanley Spencer gallery would often then go to Poundfield to look at the views the painter had created. There had been multiple attempts to develop the site; resistance by the village was clear.

Mr Dick Scarfe referred Members to the March 1995 edition of the Cookham Society newsletter which had stated ‘the Local Plan is vitally important for Poundfield. Five attempts over the years had failed. The developer survives to fight another day, the village can only lose once’. The edition also referred to church bells ringing in celebration when local people had won the day against the developer. Mr Scarfe then referred to photographs from the Maidenhead Advertiser in 1989 that showed 600 protestors had marched around the perimeter of the site, united in opposition to the controversial plan for development.  He hoped councillors would unanimously support the recommendation in the report.

Councillor Saunders referred to email correspondence earlier that day where he had suggested that:

·         an endorsement of the proposed designation of Poundfield as Local Green Space in the emerging Borough Local Plan does not prejudice or predetermine the undertaking, outcome or interpretation of future consultations or the subsequent examination or adoption of that emerging Plan;

·         the determination of future planning applications relating to Poundfield may reference and give weight to such an endorsement to the extent supported by the contents and stage reached of that emerging Plan.

Councillor Saunders commented that he believed the Council had heard a clear and compelling argument for why the area should be so designated. It was important to follow the sound management principle for either urban or rural land that people have to live there and be able to enjoy a sense of space, comfortable in their own environment not just behind their own front door. To do this there must be local green spaces. Poundfield had a chequered history with decades of various groups seeking to protect it from development. The Secretary of State in 1991 rejected development on the site and the borough later sought to confirm this by adding the site to the green belt. This technical decision was stopped on appeal by the principle landowner. However the Lord Justice stated that: ‘The appellants can have small cause only to rejoice. Other  rigorous planning controls would still apply to the land and there would be little expectation of any planning permissions. The Cookham Society and others interested need not be too concerned, it will I suspect be many more years before Stanley Spencer’s view becomes available only in the art gallery.’

Councillor Kellaway welcomed the initiative to put the site into the Local Plan however he took a less romantic view. The site was unfortunately not an open space therefore residents could not get the full benefit. Sadly Stanley Spencer’s view was no longer there as the trees had grown up. The pony field next to the site was in a state of disrepair. The fence was currently decorated with protest posters, many in relation to the chicken farm. It would be wonderful if the site could be opened up.  He supported the recommendation.

Councillor Clark commented that the inclusion of open space was deemed as important in the Village Design Statement. The strength of feeling was clear from the number of signatories. This would be given great weight but due process would have to be followed and further consultation would be necessary.

The Lead Member for Planning explained that the council was currently in the process of producing a Borough Local Plan, although there were several hurdles still to go including further consultation. Poundfield could be included as an open space but further consultation would be required. He requested all residents that had supported the petition to write in during consultation so their feedback could be recorded and used as evidence in the examination.

Councillor Werner commented that the proposal had cross-party support. Cookham residents had been fighting to protect Poundfield as long as he could remember. He had little doubt they would be fully engaged with the consultation.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Council endorses the proposed designation of Poundfield as Local Green Space in the emerging Borough Local Plan.

Councillor Mrs Yong arrived at 7.30pm.