An exclusive development which will bring 80 affordable homes to Cookham and generate a £4.95 million investment in infrastructure has won the backing of councillors in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

The authority’s development control committee approved two applications for a total of 200 homes on a 21-acre site west of Cannondown Road on Thursday (19/12/24), subject to planning agreements being finalised.

The plans, submitted by Bellway Thames Valley on behalf of Bellway Strategic Land, demonstrated how biodiversity across the site would be improved and how other infrastructure would be provided.

The land had already been allocated for new homes in the borough’s Local Plan.

Ben Stacey, Bellway Strategic Land Director (South), said: “This site had been identified as suitable for new homes as the borough seeks to deliver 14,000 properties before 2033.

“Our proposals considered the broad mix of homes required in the area, the need for affordable housing and how green spaces could be designed for the benefit of residents and the environment.

“The resulting design shows a sustainable community centred around open spaces and tree-lined avenues, with additional planting to enhance the nearby woodland.

“We are pleased that the committee recognised the benefits that this development would bring to the area, providing attractive homes within a sensitive extension to Cookham.”

Bellway has agreed to contribute an estimated £4.95 million through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council would decide where to distribute the funds. This could include education, healthcare or transport improvements.

The plans include a mix of one to five-bedroom properties, with houses, coach houses and maisonettes. Materials have been carefully selected to blend with architectural styles in Cookham and the surrounding area. Homes will feature air source heat pump systems and solar panels to generate low-carbon energy.

The 200 homes are to be split across two adjoining parcels of land which were subject to separate applications.

The first is a full application for 160 homes on the western parcel, with an outline application for five self-build properties. The second part is a full application for 34 homes on the eastern parcel, with an outline application for one self-build property.

Following the committee’s resolution to grant, the Section 106 legal agreements will now be completed, prior to the formal issuing of the decision notices.

To find out more about Bellway Strategic Land’s approach to planning new communities, visit https://www.bellwaystrategicland.co.uk/.

For more information on Bellway’s developments in Berkshire, see https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/thames-valley.