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'We want golf course not new homes'

BBC Aerial view of Maidenhead Golf Club and trees lining the golf course with houses in the background.BBC
The council owns Maidenhead Golf Club land and planned to lease it to Cala Homes.

A campaign group has been given the right to try and buy a golf course before it is sold to developers.

Maidenhead Great Park group formed in 2020 to campaign against the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead's (RBWM) plans to develop the 132 acres of woodlands and green open space.

Maidenhead Golf Course has been designated as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) meaning if its owner [the council] decides to sell, it must give eligible local groups a chance to bid on the asset before selling it.

Chair of the Maidenhead Great Park campaign group, Tina Quadrino, said: "We're very pleased that it has been recognised as an asset of community value, we have got an opportunity here."

The ACV process was introduced in the Localism Act 2011, however, RBWM has no legal obligation to accept a community bid and campaigners acknowledge it will be "no easy task" to raise the funding.

The council hoped to receive £105m from a deal with Cala Homes to build 1,500 homes - money the local authority said it needed to cover its debts.

Tina Quadrino looking at the camera with black framed glasses on her face, her hair pulled back and a black coat on with a fur collar. Greenery from the golf course in the background.
Tina Quadrino said are "thrilled and delighted" to have this opportunity

Ms Quadrino explained that Maidenhead Golf Course, known as Maidenhead's green lung, was a "little oasis behind a very busy road".

"Not many people knew about it until we started a campaign to save it about five years ago," she continued.

"We're very pleased that it has been recognised as an asset of community value, we have got an opportunity here."

A community consultation event is being held on 22 February at Larchfield Community Centre were locals are invited to discuss the best use of the golf course land.

Ms Quadrino said: "I'm really, really excited to hear everyone's thoughts and ideas."

Michael Young smiling at the camera has grey hair and is wearing a black jacket and white t-shirt underneath. Greenery from the golf course in the background.
Michael Young said "we have the opportunity now and we need to work out the funding"

Campaigner Michael Young explained a lot of housing and flats had been built in Maidenhead recently and there was "limited green space".

He said: "As a community we want to make this a green space for people to come to.

"There really isn't enough green space left, a few pocket parks but there's not enough.

"We want the community to make the decisions and be involved in looking at all the various options."

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