An outline planning application has been submitted that could see up to 99 new homes built in the village of Hurst.
Agents from developer Mactaggart and Mickel Strategic Land have submitted plans to Wokingham Borough Council for land east of Lodge Road in Hurst
The plans are seeking outline permission for up to 99 new homes, green infrastructure, open space, pedestrian and cycle links, recreational facilities and other associated infrastructure and access points on Lodge Road and Tape Lane.
Documents submitted with the application note the site has recent planning history, with an appealed application being dismissed in 2023 for up to 200 dwellings and associated infrastructure.
That appeal was dismissed on several issues, but the main reason related to the location of the site, and the level of proposed development being unsustainable.
“The proposals were not considered to be suitable for Hurst at this quantum, but the Inspector did set out that some level of development may be appropriate if suitably justified.
“This application therefore seeks to deliver less than half the amount of housing, reducing any perceived harm by more than half, but will also deliver a much larger package of benefits to help offset the perceived harm considerably.
“The raft of contributions that will be delivered alongside the development, include an above policy level of affordable housing, and significant off-site highways contributions, alongside further on-site delivery, detailed in this planning statement and supporting documents.
“The application seeks to contribute significantly to the councils housing targets and help contribute to reducing the shortfall in the five-year housing land supply, which has not been resolved in over a year, with no progress towards a New Local Plan being made either.
“The application is supported by a comprehensive suite of supporting documents, which demonstrate that the development proposals are acceptable and address the concerns raised through the previous application.”
The agents note that Hurst is identified as a settlement suitable for limited development, and the application site is located beyond the development limits set out in the adopted planning policy.
“The site itself is a contained agricultural field, and the site is flat and is bounded by existing hedgerows and trees.
“It is deemed that the site is capable of accommodating a residential development that would retain the existing character and settlement pattern of Hurst.”
A consultation into the plans remains open until September 19.
For more information search application number 242067 on Wokingham Borough Council’s planning portal.
