Plans to build over 80 homes in Berkshire have been refused
Despite being recommended for approval, proposals to construct 81 new homes in Swallowfield have been axed.
At the start of last week, councillors gathered to discuss plans to attach an 81-home estate onto the edge of a semi-rural village. The proposal, which was submitted by Croudance Homes, was opposed by planning officers as they said the plans would harm the countryside.
However, officers had to recommend the plans to be approved because the council doesn’t yet have a plan to deliver new space for homes over the next five years.
Against this backdrop, local residents echoed similar views to the planning officers. Phillipa Munro of Lambs Lane – situated near the proposed site – claimed the idea was ‘ridiculous’. She said: ‘Swallowfield is a small village – it does not have the infrastructure to cope with yet more houses.
‘The lanes will be unable to withstand the amount of extra traffic – the doctors’ surgery is already oversubscribed, there is no school and the list goes on. This is a ridiculous idea.’
In addition, eight councillors have since voted against the plans and one has abstained.
Chris Robert of Boyer Planning consultancy offered a potential amendment to the plans in order to help the council reach its goal to provide new homes whilst keeping residents happy. He said 33 of the homes would be affordable.
Chris said: ‘I think that’s significant in a village that isn’t furnished with a great stock of existing social housing, affordable housing.’
Although, councillors have since concluded that this development will not proceed. People on the planning committee explained new residents would have to travel long distances to get to schools and supermarkets, meaning the location could not sustain such a large development.
As the area is located in a semi-rural environment, the new site would have increased it’s size by 42%.
Image: Croudance Homes
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