'Co-operate now' on sites for housing
A leading Sandhurst councillor has warned that the issue of developing sites for housing will not disappear, even though controversial plans for 15 flats in the village have been withdrawn.
Peter North, borough council member for central Sandhurst, wants closer co-operation between developers, councillors and residents to identity the most suitable sites for houses.
His comments came after Surrey Heath Housing Association withdrew its application for the flats on the site of the library car park in Broadway.
Cllr North received a verbal notice on Monday from a Bracknell Forest Borough Council officer that the application had been withdrawn.
The plans provoked opposition from residents, who were concerned about the effect the plans would have on the area, including traffic and parking.
Cllr North said: "If you get a piece of land that has been identified for development it doesn't go away.
"What we need to do is shape what's coming, rather than trying to react to it when it arrives."
icBerkshire.co.uk, 26th August 2004
