Shock collapse of Neighbourhood Plan forum
An internal split has led to the collapse of the forum set up to prepare a neighbourhood plan for Windsor.
Controversy has dogged the Central Windsor Neighbourhood Plan forum ever since it hived off its Dedworth and Eton members.
Forum chairman Cllr Natasha Airey (Con, Park) said at the time it had become too big and divisive and that Dedworth and Eton should form their own forums.
But the decision caused lingering unease among some members of the new 'Central Windsor' only forum.
At Monday's annual meeting members were allowed to vote on the issue - but they were told that for legal reasons they could only vote to dissolve the whole forum, or let it continue without Dedworth.
One member, Cllr George Bathurst (Con, Castle Without) warned: "Don't assume if you wreck this process and smash the vase that things will come together again in the same order. It might not turn out as you want it to."
But Jane Carter spoke for many when she said: "It is bad planning to cut off one limb of the town. We may want to make plans for Central Windsor that directly affect Dedworth."
In the end 18 of 28 votes cast accepted dissolvement of the forum, indicating that members would rather it not continue without Dedworth.
But Clare Milne, chairman of the now disbanded forum's business and tourism topic group, is optimistic. She said: "The clear intention is that all of the work which has been done up to date will be carried on and in particular the responses to our recent consultation will be taken forward and extended to include the wider area."
She said all members of the disbanded forum were welcome to a meeting at the Guildhall on Thursday May 8 - as well as any other interested residents or business people, including from the Dedworth area.
She said: "Our exisiting email will stay live for now i.e cwnp@outlook.com and people can contact us on that or on our mobile 07501 932754."
Chairman of West Windsor Residents Association Wisdom Da Costa said: "We are delighted that there is now the opportunity to produce a Neighbourhood Plan for the whole of the town."
Dedworth councillor Cllr Cynthia Endacott (Independent: Clewer North) said: "It makes sense. I'm delighted that democracy and common sense have prevailed."