Decision makers have agonised over a project to add dozens of new homes to a small village in Berkshire.
A trio of house builders submitted an application to build 70 homes on a field to the rear of The Coombes Church of England Primary School in Arborfield Cross.
The project was decided on at the latest meeting of Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee.
Craig Pettit, a planning agent from Marrons, reminded councillors an appeal has been lodged against a larger plan for 95 homes at the same site that was rejected by councillors in December.
He also pointed out that 40 per cent of the development will be affordable, and in excess of £2.5 million of infrastructure improvements will be made.
Mr Pettit said: “The delivery of 28 affordable homes will provide the opportunity for families to become part of, and add to, the village’s community.
“For those in the room lucky enough to afford your home, possibly in an area of your choosing, imagine if that wasn’t the case.”
Objectors maintained that the site is an unsustainable location.
Paul Stevens, from Arborfield and Newland Parish Council, said: “Reducing the scheme by 25 units does not address the earlier findings that this location is suitable.”
Reverend Iain Lingwood, a neighbour who has children at the school, said: “Local residents, including parents, teachers and road users know that School Road is already a dangerous bottleneck.”
He also said badgers had been spotted in the field and called for a full review of the ecological status of the site.
During discussion, councillor Wayne Smith (Conservative, Thames) exhibited a sense of defeatism, arguing the council would be unlikely to win in an appeal.
He said: “We’re building up a massive bottleneck and a glut of housing.
“It is a difficult situation that we are put in yet again. We are in a rock and a hard place on this and I’m afraid.”
Cllr Smith also criticised housebuilders for failing to build the projects they have consent for, and the consultants that the council has previously appointed in appeals that it lost.
High-profile examples include the David Wilson Homes plan for 230 homes in Twyford and 350 homes in Blagrove Lane, Barkham.
Cllr Andrea Martijn Andrea (Liberal Democrats, Twyford, Ruscombe & Hurst) said: “I agree that this is not the best location, but I mean this is a rural development, you’re not going to going to get perfect sustainability.
“It doesn’t mean the concerns from the residents are not there.
“But also I think the residents need to be aware, that we recognise their concerns, but you also have this other part, that we are short of houses, we are short of land.
“There are people who don’t have houses, their lives are also impacted, and that is the balance. At the moment, the way we are, that part weighs very significantly.”
In a vote, the application was approved subject to a legal agreement, with cllrs Sam Akhtar (Conservative, Thames) and Moses Iyengunmwena (Conservative, Hillside) abstaining.
The decision was made on July 9.
You can view the application by typing reference 250735 into the council’s planning portal.
