196501-511445 EIR Planning Policy

Short Description
Kings Counsel on Maidenhead Golf Club
Reference number
EIR196501-511445
Date
15/07/2024
Request


The full council have (or should have) been provided with a background paper - the legal opinion of [KC] in respect of the question "Is the golf club a public open space".

https://rbwm.moderngov.co.uk/documents/b29681/Petition%20for%20Debate%20...

The answer is said to be "no" despite multiple sources to the contrary including the 1950's local plan itself.

This opinion demonstrably lacks any quality of confidentiality or privilege as it must simply explain how a public asset was purchased and how it was disposed. The legal basis for saying a public open space recorded in the previous local plan is no longer a public open space is of critical public interest to understand, given
(A) a series of high profile petitions and demonstrations.
(B) The astonishing revelation that the disposal includes a £119-155m penalty clause that is 1.5 times the annual income of RBWM and (given the virtually zero reserves) would bankrupt the council many times over if invoked.

May I request:

1. The terms of reference given to the KC for his opinion.
2. The final KC opinion.
3. All documents recording ownerships and transfers provided to the KC [...] as the input to that opinion (such as council minutes/purchase contract/land registry docs/contracts with 1950's members relating to disposal etc)