Councillors have approved plans for 50 homes at Sonning Golf Club, despite objections including from former Prime Minister Theresa May.
Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee decided at its August 9 meeting that there were not enough planning grounds on which to object to the proposal.
Cllr Trefor Fisher, chairman of Sonning Parish Council, one of a number who spoke against the scheme, said: “This is the planning equivalent to selling off the family silver. The difference is that the family silver can be bought back.
“This area of prime sports and leisure land in the countryside will be lost to the residents of Sonning and the Wokingham borough forever.”
Speakers lamented the loss of leisure space which comes on top of the loss of space at a nearby rugby club, while some, including Cllr Carol Jewell from Woodley Town Council, objected over sustainability issues.
The motion to approve the scheme, which followed the officers’ recommendation, was proposed by committee vice-chair Cllr Andrew Mickleburgh who said he was doing so reluctantly as the reasons suggested for refusal, he believed, would not pass scrutiny.
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