Defence Online

Plans for an emergency shelter for the homeless have been approved by the Royal Borough’s development control panel.The application, submitted by the Brett Foundation, will see one of the units in Howarth Road changed to become a shelter, with additional food bank storage and a furniture repair workshop which can be used for training.The permission is for a five year period.Councillors praised the idea as they gave approval for the plans at last night’s meeting.A number of members of the public attended the meeting, at Maidenhead Town Hall, with many awaiting the decision on plans to convert Woodlands Farm, in Spring Lane, Cookham Dean, into three detached homes.This item was approved by DCP members in March, but had to be deferred for Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy agreements to be settled.Councillors agreed to approve a £190,000 contribution, adding the change of use from stables and offices has already been passed.Councillors Gerry Clark (Con, Bisham and Cookham) and Derek Sharp (Con, Furze Platt) abstained from the vote.Also on the agenda was an application to build 45 new one and two-bedroom flats in Boyn Valley Road following the demolition of a light industrial site.Cllr Maureen Hunt (Con, Hurley and Walthams) asked for more trees to be planted on the road side of the development to keen the area green or ‘it is going to be an elephant on the road’.