Approval given for Legoland pirate attraction

A planning application submitted by Legoland Windsor was passed by the Royal Borough despite concerns from homeowners.

The Windsor urban development control panel met yesterday to discuss the application to redevelop an existing area of the park.

The plans included the creation of a new and extended 'pirate training camp' including demolition of existing structures and the installation of 'pirates rigging'.

Legoland said its development proposals were not looking to increase visitor numbers  but improve the experience for visitors that would already be in the park.

Objections were raised by Windsor homeowners Helen Price, Vivienne Allen and Curtis Hopkins who spoke out at what they perceived as unacceptable increasing traffic congestion.

The application was passed, subject to conditions, with a majority vote of five to two.

Cllrs Philip Bicknell (Con, Park Ward) and Cynthia Endacott (WWIG, Clewer North) voting against.

A spokeswoman from Legoland said: "The Legoland Windsor Resort team have been working hard over a number of months with the Royal Borough highways team and Cllr Geoff Hill to find transport solutions for all local traffic movements.

"We take our local community responsibilities very seriously and our planning application shows the initiatives we already have in place and what we will implement in 2014 to help with all local traffic movement."