Braywick Park proposals 'no longer a Maidenhead United takeover', council leader says

The latest proposals for a new football ground at Braywick Park no longer represent ‘a Maidenhead United takeover’, the council leader has said.

The Magpies have revived their plans for a new stadium at the council-owned park which could hold a capacity of more than 5,000 supporters.

Previous plans by the football club were blocked by the council in July 2023 following concerns over a loss of open space and a poor financial deal for the borough.

Council leader Simon Werner (Lib Dem, Pinkneys Green) told the Advertiser the latest ground plans, using a plot of land at the back of the park, addressed a number of concerns his party had over the initial proposals.

He said: “For me, the reason I was against the proposal before was because it was a massive sale of land, it was at the front of the A308 so it would have blocked views over the open space and it would have provided a massive barrier along the front for dog walkers and people who use the park.

“It was very little money the council was getting and it was basically an MUFC takeover of Braywick. This proposal really isn’t that.”

The football club previously reached an agreement with the council’s former Conservative administration to buy a nine-acre site at Braywick Park for £460,000.

But this attracted criticism from councillors who questioned the value of the deal for the Royal Borough.

The council leader said if a new multi-million pound deal is agreed, it will fund the renovation of the park’s rundown athletics track and the expansion of Braywick Nature Reserve.

He added he has held discussions with Maidenhead Rugby Club about the proposals.

Speaking to the Advertiser this week, rugby club chairman Steve Bough also said that ‘in principle, with the information they have, they don’t see any major issues’ with the football club’s scaled back plans.

But Maids are still waiting to see the finer details of the scheme.

The council leader added: “We will obviously be looking at this in detail. The club are doing a lot of consultation and workshops so we can really find out what the residents of Maidenhead think – because after all it’s their sports park.”

Maidenhead Athletic Club, who are set to benefit from a revamped track if the deal goes through, welcomed the latest proposals.

Chairman Jon Scaife said: “Maidenhead Athletic Club welcomes and supports the ambitions of our near neighbours Maidenhead United FC in their efforts to secure their long-term future through the development of a new ground at Braywick along with the provision of upgraded athletics facilities, both of which will, if approved, enhance Braywick’s status as an all-round sports hub of which the town can be proud.”

Supporters are also broadly in favour of the move to Braywick Park, realising the need for the club to become more self-sustainable. They were informed of the new plans at a Fans Forum event on Monday evening.

However, Peter Robey – who watched a livestream of the event on YouTube – did raise a couple of concerns.

He said: “My main concern is firstly the site, if I am correct, is a site which years ago had vehicles dumped in that area and then covered over.

“Access to the ground by car or pathway will be difficult. And the segregation of opposition fans will be impossible.

“The only other point I want to raise is it’s been 50 years on and off looking for a suitable site. Let’s hope this site can work and be completed.”

Maidenhead United has outlined plans for a new access route to the ground via Vicus Way.

The council’s under-utilised Vicus Way Car Park is also proposed to offer matchday parking for supporters if the move gets the go-ahead.

Maidenhead MP Josh Reynolds, who was part of the Royal Borough cabinet who blocked Maidenhead United’s initial ground proposals back in 2023, said: “Over the past few months, I have been engaging with Maidenhead United Football Club on their ambitions to grow and continue to deliver social and economic benefits for our community.

“It’s been pleasing to see the collaborative approach from the football club in addressing our concerns with the previous proposal spearheaded under the Conservative administration.

“Although we are at an early stage in the process, I am encouraged by the belief that there is a solution which addresses our concerns while also safeguarding and supporting the future of Maidenhead United.”