Let's keep the pressure on the Council to save Battlemead.

[Cookham Webmaster]

Time is against us and we need to keep up the pressure.  People are listening and the more who write the stronger our case.  Please send a message to any or all of the people at the bottom of the attached:

https://mailchi.mp/8aa6efabacdc/battlemead-keep-the-pressure-up-its-working?e=6d78a74e9e

[Cookham Webmaster]

From WildCookham

Quick update on Battlemead.  The Council has informed us that they are putting a hold on the plan presented to us last week.  This is great news and hopefully allows for a sensible approach that protects and enhances wildlife to be developed and agreed.  The concerns expressed by many people has clearly been behind this.  The level of criticism had not been appreciated and it's good to see the Council now taking note of this.  So massive thanks to everyone who wrote, posted etc.  It was very worthwhile.  Watch this space.

[Cookham Webmaster]

From the lib Dems

Cllr Mandy Brar’s emergency motion to tonight’s Full Council on Battlemead has been rejected by the Mayor, on the basis that works have been put on hold to consult with Friends of Battlemead.

We are seeking urgent confirmation that works have indeed been halted, as we have not yet received an official notification.

[Cookham Webmaster]

Below is the text from the latest RBWM residents newsletter regarding Battlemead.

Last week we published an ecological management plan for Battlemead Common and our revised master plan for the site. This lovely Common was previously grazed as agricultural land now falls within the council’s portfolio of Parks and Countryside, and was purchased some two years ago with the dual purpose of increasing public access and protecting and enhancing biodiversity.

Following considerable representation from residents since the report was published last week, we have decided that we have a little bit more work to do to get the balance right between public access and supporting biodiversity. For the last year we have deliberated over the site’s management with a group we formed called ‘Friends of Battlemead Common’. It is only fair that we show this group the courtesy of reviewing this latest plan with them, despite the challenges large remote meetings bring at this time. This land was bought with taxpayer/residents money, and this council serves the residents. It is important that we act fairly in this regard. We recognise that the solution will not suit everyone, and a compromise will have to be reached, but the process must be fair or the outcome will not have much chance of success.

Please bear with us as we work with residents, officers and councillors to reach a solution. This is too important a decision to not strive to get the best outcome.

[Dean Resident]

...this place is a sheer delight and we should do all we can to preserve it as somewhere a bit special..  We have enjoyed numerous family walks and marvel at the spectacle and serendipity of butterflies, birdlife, flora and the interest young children have in the natural world...  there are very few places like this maintained by a council, and creation of a pseudo urban park with car park and inevitable attendant cafe or ice cream van, mown grass and so on will do little to truly preserve and enhance biodiversity..  and there are plenty of other places on the doorstep to walk dogs off the lead, so it feels odd that this is part of the argument..  I welcome the 'hold' and further consultation..  There is also an argument to say that given the significant development across the borough this investment is more than met by levies on developers and additional council tax receipts... and speaking personally as one of the 150 to 200 thousand residents in the borough I would be more than happy to pay a few pounds extra per year on my council tax to preserve this and other sites for the benefit of biodiversity and for our children and their future..