Skip to content

Football club's move gets council backing again

Elena ChiujdeaLocal Democracy Reporting Service
News imageMaidenhead United A CGI image of Maidenhead United's potential new stadium, showing people milling outside it. It appears to have an open terrace with people meeting and wooden cladding on the outside at the top of a small stand, with windows beneath it.Maidenhead United
Maidenhead United want to move to Braywick Park and have consulted on plans for the potential new ground

A decision to release land a football club wants to use for its new ground has been approved for a second time by a council.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) first formally supported Maidenhead United's potential move to Braywick Park in April, pending planning permission being granted.

It was reconsidered after RBWM's cabinet agreed in May that more scrutiny was needed after 148 residents' objections were not published five days before a meeting, as required by local government guidance.

The National League South club has played at its York Road ground since 1871, at what is thought to be the oldest senior football ground used continually by the same club in the world.

RBWM cabinet members reconfirmed their decision to release the Braywick Park land at a meeting on Wednesday.

Adam Bermange, RBWM's lead member for planning and governance, said: "We have now had access to individual objections for 51 days and I do not believe anyone could now argue that we've had insufficient time."

He said all objections received were "conscientiously considered".

The football club is offering a total of £2.5m for the land, with £2m of this to be invested in other sports facilities at Braywick Park, including the refurbishment of its athletics track.

News imageGetty Images A crowd watch a football match. The players are out of focus in the background But you can see the backs of the crowds heads. They are mostly wearing coats and hats. The woman closest to the camera has long brown hair and is wearing a black and white bobble hat with the word Maidenhead on the side.Getty Images
Maidenhead United has played at the same York Road ground since the 19th Century

The football club still needs to finalise a 999-year lease and secure planning permission before the development can progress.

Andrew Hill, an objector to the plan, said: "Hundreds of people, nearly six times as many as last time, have begged you to listen to them and to protect them.

"Braywick Park is not just a piece of land. It is the daily environment of children at Forest Bridge School, many of whom have complex special educational needs."

Following Wednesday's meeting, a Maidenhead United spokesperson said: "We are pleased that cabinet has considered the benefits our plans bring to Braywick Park, and the wider town, and re-confirmed its original decision to release the land.

"We will continue our engagement as we work towards a planning application later this year."

Related internet links
Related internet links