Planning has been at the heart of the Civic Society’s activities since its foundation in 1960.  Planning decisions taken today will shape the town for decades.  We aim to ensure that Maidenhead has buildings which are fit for purpose, durable, aesthetically pleasing, and compatible with their surroundings, meeting or preferably exceeding prescribed standards and guidelines, enhancing the town.

Our Planning Group keeps a watchful eye, encouraging high-quality architecture and design, challenging the mediocre and mundane.  The group assesses significant development applications, particularly those in the six local conservation areas.  You can read the comments here.

As a key stakeholder, the Society’s opinion is sometimes sought on emerging plans and proposals.  A respected voice, its views are often – though not always – heeded.

The Civic Society was initially set up to provide a voice on planning matters for the residents of Maidenhead which, unlike neighbouring Bray, Cookham and Cox Green, does not have a Parish Council.  Our main focus, therefore, is on the electoral wards of Oldfield, St Mary's (Town Centre), Belmont, Boyn Hill, Furze Platt, Pinkney’s Green and Riverside.  We do occasionally examine projects within adjoining areas but will always be mindful of the position taken by the elected Parish Council.

In 2004 the Society published the first edition of Making Maidenhead a Better Place, a discussion document on the need for improvements in the town centre.  This stimulated the “Great Debate” on the future of Maidenhead which in turn led to the formation of PRoM (Partnership for the Rejuvenation of Maidenhead) in 2007.  PRoM subsequently produced the Town Centre Area Action Plan, adopted in 2011.  However, PRoM was disbanded in 2019 and a new Borough Local Plan (BLP), together with supporting Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) and the Maidenhead Neighbourhood Plan (MNP) 2024-2039 provide the guidelines against which planning submissions are judged.  The BLP aims to deliver more than 14,000 new homes across the Royal Borough by 2033.  Regrettably, the majority of these are planned for Maidenhead because of its “sustainable” proximity to the M4, the Elizabeth Line, and the historic nature of Windsor town centre.  The potential impact on the character and infrastructure of Maidenhead is a continuing cause for concern, particularly the proliferation of high-rise buildings having cramped 1- and 2-bedroom apartments with limited allocated parking space, and the development of former green-belt land.  The lack of affordable housing is also an issue that we believe needs to be addressed.

The Society maintains an objective stance.  We are conscientiously independent and apolitical.  We advocate constructive engagement and consensus as the preferred way of providing a better quality of life for Maidenhead’s residents and visitors.