Back in February, Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor, in her capacity as a ward councillor for the area, joined other ward councillors in writing a letter to The Wokingham Paper outlining her opposition to secret plans to build a new town in Grazeley.
In it, they said: “We wish to put on record the fact that, having successfully opposed the development of Grazeley in the 1990s, we do not feel that the 16,000 house Grazeley proposal is the best option available to the Council and have forcefully said so to our Conservative colleagues.”
However, when asked about the latest developments, Cllr Haitham Taylor said: “My approach has always been consistent in that I believe that it is important that we undertake a full and proper analysis of all the sites.
“We have a housing demand, and we need to carefully look at all available sites, which we are legally required to do. The fact that we are analysing any site does not mean that there will be development there.
“No councillor will be able to make a decision or make their case, either for or against any site, without that information first.
“Deciding on the sites without that information would be inappropriate.
“We are barely off the starting blocks with our work on the Local Plan Update, and once the analysis of the sites is complete, there will rightly be the opportunity for the public and local ward councillors to have a say and to properly decide on the way forward.”
And it’s not the only time the Conservatives have forcefully campaigned against plans to built in Grazeley.
Back in 1998 John Redwood, then the environment secretary, planted an oak tree in Grazeley to act as a symbolic reminder that “people have had enough of seeing the green fields of Berkshire built over”.
Councillors’ letter to The Wokingham Paper
Originally published February 9, 2017
Shinfield councillors oppose Grazeley development
We wish to put on record the fact that, having successfully opposed the development of Grazeley in the 1990’s, we do not feel that the 16,000 house Grazeley proposal is the best option available to the Council and have forcefully said so to our Conservative colleagues on a number of occasions since the expression of interest was submitted.
The Council leadership are aware of this, and support our right as local members to represent the concerns of all our residents.
We will continue to work with the Council to ensure the best possible outcome for all of the people living in our wards.
Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor,
Member for Shinfield South
Cllr Barrie Patman,
Member for Shinfield South
Cllr Anthony Pollock,
Member for Shinfield South
Cllr Stuart Munro,
Member for Swallowfield
