Residents' fear over 'green' area

Poundfield became a conservation area after a High Court battle

Residents living near a rural area made famous by British artist Sir Stanley Spencer are angry at plans to build housing and a relief road on the site.

The Poundfield in Cookham, north of Maidenhead, was taken out of the town's protected green belt a few years ago.

Following a High Court battle it became a conservation area.

But the parish council's recently published 20-year plan includes a proposal for affordable housing, plus a one-way relief road to ease congestion.

Villagers have fought for years to keep developers away from the site, which they say attracts interest because the land is so valuable.

It's important to say that the council don't want to take sides Parish council spokeswoman

Sir Stanley Spencer, whose work hangs in the Tate Gallery in London, was born in Cookham and the area often features in his work.

Sara Maynard, who lives in the village, said the proposal would ruin the site.

"I live opposite the Poundfield and it's a beautiful view. It's just lovely for the kids and it's going to ruin it," she said.

Sally Powell, who is also a resident, said she felt the plan would be "taking our countryside away".

"I'd like to keep it more like a village and less of a town," she said.

Ideas

A spokeswoman for the parish council said villagers were divided on the plan, which was written after 21 months of research by several village volunteers and two councillors.

She said once all the councillors had seen a copy of the new plan it would be reviewed: "We've only had the plan for a short while and not everyone has seen it yet.

"We want to see the research behind the ideas, and until we get that, the council do not want to comment one way or the other.

"They can then decide which proposals can be pulled or not. It's important to say that the council don't want to take sides," she added.

The next parish meeting to discuss the plan is on 11 March.

A final decision would have to be made by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead council.