Fiercely-opposed plans have been approved for up to 75 homes in Charvil.
Hicks Developments’ outline plans for a 6.97-hectare site west of Park Lane, currently used as a temporary builders’ yard, were unanimously approved by Wokingham Borough Council’s December 11 planning committee meeting.
Opposition to the proposals include an objection from former MP for the area Theresa May.
Writing during her time as an MP, Mrs May said she had previously asked the council to conduct a geological assessment of the land.
Her submission went on: “I now write to submit my further objections to this application. I am concerned there is a lack of amenities relative to the increase in dwellings if the development progresses.
“I understand the concern felt by many residents who are already struggling with school admissions, GP and dentist appointments and transport facilities locally. Any further development will only exacerbate this issue.
“I am equally concerned there will be a considerable increase in congestion locally to the A4 with the progression of housing development of this size. With the Hicks field being the last remaining greenfield site in Charvil, any disruption to the site and surrounding areas would be hugely disappointing.”
Some councillors complained of the lack of infrastructure to cope with the development, which will have an affordable homes proportion of 40 per cent.
Flooding, drainage and infrastructure were among the main complaints among scores of other objections.
But Deirdre Wells from the Red Kite Development Consultancy, representing the applicant, told the meeting: “In all three versions of the Local Plan update this site has been allocated for new housing, with the point of access exactly where we’ve put it on our application, so the site has been tested in principle and consulted upon over several years and in competition with alternatives.”
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