Battle is not over on West Windsor plan fight despite crowdfunder failure

A crowdfunder to prevent 320 homes in West Windsor ‘has failed’ – but a councillor has said the need for ‘an investigation’ into the planning decision remains and there may still be legal action.

On June 30, Wates Developments Limited was given permission to build the large estate, alongside a 150-place SEN school (22/01354/OUT).

A group of councillors and residents wanted to protect the 50-acre patch of former greenbelt between Dedworth Road and Maidenhead Road, marked in the Borough Local Plan as AL21 South.

They launched a challenge focused on the council’s decision as the planning authority – including events at the Windsor and Ascot Development Management Committee on March 1.

The group raised concerns regarding ‘the process, conduct and issues’ presented and the ‘the soundness and legality’ of the decision to two monitoring officers and two chief executives of the council, but felt the matter was not dealt with internally.

They felt a number of issues had been overlooked – and are still being overlooked, with the ‘same issues’ at thenorthern section of the same site, approved last week.

This includes ‘non-application of current pollution laws’ and ‘fanciful’ ideas that bus routes will be enhanced ‘when at the same time cabinet is proposing no enhancement because of financial situation’, a ‘fundamental self-contradiction’.

Councillor Wisdom Da Costa (WWRA, Clewer & Dedworth West) has been involved strongly in the crowdfunder, which ran out of time after getting about halfway to its £4,000 target, which would have paid for an initial legal opinion.

“These gross failings which harm residents, will create a more difficult environment and reduce the health and life chances of our children must be reversed,” Cllr Da Costa said.

“We will continue to garner support and, if the administration doesn’t take steps to credibly, and publicly, address the failings we highlighted, we will gain enough support for legal action. But we need more support from local residents.”

At the time these the fundraiser was launched, a council spokesperson said: “Each member of a planning panel must judge a planning application on its merits in line with planning policy, balancing up the relevant policies and planning considerations, alongside consideration of public consultation responses, officer advice and discussion at the panel itself, as part of their decision-making process.

“In this particular case, the resolution agreed by the committee in March for this outline application was that planning permission is granted following confirmation of the Environment Agency removing its objection, and the completion of the legal agreement.

“Proper process was followed throughout and a decision notice has been issued following resolution of these matters.”

For more about the concerns underpinning the attempted legal challenge, seewww.windsorexpress.co.uk/gallery/windsor/187810/crowfunding-begins-for-legal-challenge-against-320-home-west-windsor-plan.html