The landmark document has been independently assessed as sound by a planning inspectorate, but has been criticized by campaigners as ‘environmentally damaging’.

In the plan, the site known as South West Maidenhead includes the 132-acre Maidenhead Golf Course and Harvest Hill.

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The set of sites is intended for 2,600 housing units, 30% of which are affordable, as well as new primary and secondary schools, a local centre, employment space, green space for public access and better connectivity on foot and by bike.

The next step is to create a site-specific Supplemental Planning Document (SPD) to provide additional guidance and information on a future planning request via public engagement.

Feedback from residents and stakeholders will be used to inform a draft SPD, which will undergo public consultation over the summer before a master plan is developed.

To get involved and learn more, people are invited to attend three themed online events, where they can also submit questions live:

• Community Needs – Wednesday, March 30, 2022, 6:30 p.m.
• Connectivity – Wednesday, April 6, 2022, 6:30 p.m.
• Sustainability and the Environment – ​​Wednesday, April 13, 2022, 7:15 p.m.

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Links to join the live sessions will be added from March 28 on the council’s website at www.rbwm.gov.uk/SWMaidenhead-SPD.

Hard copies and a feedback form can be found in Maidenhead Library from March 30. People will be able to comment until April 27.

A great opportunity

Councilor Phil Haseler, cabinet member for planning, parking, highways and transport, said: “The development of the South West Maidenhead area is a great opportunity to create a place we can all be proud of, and I really hope local residents get involved in the planning of this important site.

“The SPD is the next step in the process, building on the initial place-making work and adding more detailed guidance to the vision and policy already set out in the local borough plan. This will help ensure that developers submit applications for a high quality, coordinated and comprehensive development that is supported by the required infrastructure, meets community needs and aspirations for housing, community facilities, connectivity , sustainability and the environment.

“We welcome constructive engagement to ensure we fully grasp and understand the key considerations when drafting the SPD.

“Comments will help the board inform subsequent public consultation on a draft SPD. Once agreed, the SPD will be an important consideration when evaluating and determining future planning applications. The final SPD will include design principles and illustrative material on how development can be advanced, including an illustrative master plan, to guide the full detailed design to be presented for consideration at the planning application stage.