Developers are having another try for permission to build up to 99 homes on one green field and nine on another, both in the same village.
Hurst residents are used to fighting building schemes but this time they face two separate planning inquiries at almost the same time.
The deadlines this month for submitting comments on the schemes are now looming.
More than 200 letters were sent last year objecting to up to 99 homes on pony grazing land between Lodge Road (the B3030 from Winnersh towards Twyford) and narrow Tape Lane.
Developers Mactaggart and Mickel Strategic Land are appealing for permission for the 99 homes. A government inspector will hear their appeal over several days from August 12.
Just a few days earlier, starting on August 6, there is a completely separate appeal by Shorewood Homes for permission for nine new homes in a field where sheep and cattle have been kept by Broadwater Lane, the A321 road, in Hurst.
Both sets of developers are asking for Wokingham Borough Council’s (WBC’s) refusals of permission for their schemes to be overturned. Each appeal hearing has its own inspector.
Residents have started to do battle again to stop both the current schemes.
Hurst Parish Council chairman Penny Curry said: “We will be robustly objecting to both these appeals. It is very important residents show the strength of feeling in the village by attending the hearings.
“If people objected earlier those comments will go to the inquiry but they need to write again to reaffirm and update their comments as some of the plans have been slightly changed since the original applications.”
A NHVS planning group spokesperson said: “The 99 homes plan would have a massive impact on the infrastructure. Flooding and drainage are already an issue. The plan would join up areas which are now separate.”
The nine homes scheme was sensitive as it would link Hurst with Whistley Green which would lose its own identity. The homes would create drainage problems and open space would be lost.
A scheme for 200 homes on the Lodge Road site was refused permission on appeal earlier.
On the claim about Whistley Green losing its separate identity Shorewood Homes head of planning Stuart Garnett said: “There is development on the south side of Broadwater Lane continuously. You don’t know you’re travelling between a place called Hurst and one called Whistley Green.” He said WBC’s drainage officer had raised no objections when WBC refused the plan permission.
The site was immediately adjacent to the village settlement area boundary. “We recognise it is a countryside location, a green field site but we feel it is an appropriate sustainable location for a nine house scheme in a village such as Hurst. It is very close to the village and local services and facilities.”
Agents for the 99 homes plan, Planning Potential, have been asked to comment on villagers’ views.
To comment on the 99 homes plan https visit, by 5pm on June 18: https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/ViewCase.aspx?caseid=3364304
To comment on the nine homes plan visit, by 5pm on June 25: https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/ViewCase.aspx?caseid=3359898
