Big wheel to return despite resident's plea

An observation wheel in a public garden has been granted planning permission for another year despite a plea to give the park "back to the people".

Councillors at the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) voted unanimously to allow the Royal Windsor Wheel in Alexandra Gardens.

Resident John Davey opposed the application, saying the garden should be "full of flowers, plants and wildlife" and "not forfeited to metal fairground rides".

But council planning officers said under the plans less than 5% of the total grassland would be damaged, and the site would be re-turfed afterwards.

They added that, when the wheel was in the park last summer, it left "plenty of garden area amenity area untouched by this development for members of the public".

Planning officer Briony Franklin also said the council had to be consistent in deciding planning applications, and had approved identical temporary plans last year.

Ward councillor Mark Wilson spoke in favour of the application and said it was an "attraction" for the town.

"It's a boost for business and while there are mixed views as we've heard from residents many do enjoy it," he said.

Councillor Amy Tisi said the wheel would take up about 0.5% of the park.

"It seems to be a very emotive thing that some residents say it's taking up all of the park and it's taking up all of this space," she said.

"I calculated that the site is 21 by 7m, so it works out to be 0.52% of the park is taken up by this."

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