Wokingham Borough councillors look set to give conditional approval to a controversial plan to build up to 50 homes in Arborfield.
At its planning committee meeting on Wednesday, November 13, it is being recommended to approve outline plans for the homes off Langley Common Road.
The plans, submitted by agents for Anwyl Land Ltd, also include open space, and associated works. Access, appearance and landscaping are reserved for a future application.
The application has received more than 120 objections, including from both Barkham Parish Council and Arborfield and Newland Parish Council.
In its note of objection, Barkham Parish Council said: “This is an inappropriate development in this location.
Arborfield and Newland Parish Council said it believed that Wokingham Borough Council has no option but to refuse this application.
It said: ““The parish council does not believe this proposed development is consistent with WBCs planning objectives, is contrary to the Arborfield and Barkham Neighbourhood plan, and also fails to meet national and local sustainability criteria.”
Other objections cited the loss of natural habitat, a lack of local amenities, the impact on traffic, impact on highway safety, and poor public transport links.
In its application, agents said the development makes a meaningful contribution to the borough’s housing land supply, and provides 20 on-site affordable homes.
“The design and layout will result in a satisfactory residential development with incorporated open space and play facilities.
“Ecological impacts can be mitigated, and there would be an ecological area incorporated into the development.”
In a report to councillors, officers said the Wokingham Borough Council is currently unable to demonstrate a four-year supply of deliverable housing sites. Policies that are considered most important for determining applications for new housing are considered out-of-date.
National planning framework says that where the development plan is out of date, permission should be granted unless any adverse impact of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in the Framework taken as a whole.
They added the adverse impact of the proposed development would not significantly and demonstrably outweigh those identified benefits when assessed against the policies in the Framework when taken as a whole.
“The application is therefore recommended for approval subject to conditions and legal agreements.”
For more information, search planning application 232490 on Wokingham Borough Council’s planning portal.
