A proposed housing development on green belt land in Cookham has been rejected by High Court judges after a significant backlash from local residents.
James and Richard Copas, of Copas Farms, had been trying to gain permission to build 23 affordable houses on Whyteladyes Lane, but many questioned the legality of the build.
David Wain, 53, who has lived just a few doors down from the site since he was a young boy, fought to prevent the build.
“I have stayed in Cookham for so long because of the beautiful scenery, so I certainly don’t want it being built on, especially this close to home.
“I’m very fortunate to have a wonderful view of the fields and if it was obscured, I would struggle to ever sell this house.”
The Copas family had promised that the properties would be affordable and that the addition of new families would not put a strain on the village’s schools of doctor’s surgery, but he then stated that only current residents would be allowed to purchase the homes.
This was not the first time that a project of this type had been proposed, but as before, the residents wrote letters and held parish council meetings as a statement disapproval.
The decision was taken to High Court in the past month, and judges rejected the developer’s appeal, meaning that the land will remain green and luscious for now at least.
The Whyteladyes Lane development is now the second failed proposal in a year by members of the Copas family, with a similar build in Bourne End being turned down by their parish council.
Geoffrey Copas had described the plans for Sappers Field in Bourne End as a ‘win-win situation for everybody’, but Councillor Sue Wagner stated that there was no desire to approve this development from fellow councillors.
There may be no major Copas builds on the horizon in Cookham or Bourne End, but given the family’s track record, it would be of no surprise if another plot of land was identified as a potential housing site in the next few years.
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