A scheme to build 200 homes on a green field has been turned down after a planning inquiry.
Elated early morning messages whizzed round Hurst village when the inquiry inspector’s decision was released on Thursday.
Four hundred residents had objected to the homes on land between Lodge Road and Tape Lane.
The Planning Inspectorate says anyone wanting to alter the decision should “consider obtaining legal advice as only the High Court can quash the decision”. It’s understood this is a rare move.
Villagers meeting this afternoon at the Tape Lane allotments, overlooking the field with its grazing ponies, were delighted with the success.
Parish council chairman Wayne Smith said: “It’s absolutely fantastic news for the village. We’re very pleased.
“Residents came together to raise funds so the parish council could apply for rule 6 status and have a barrister to support us. In my opinion, residents’ support like that gave us a big advantage.
“The decision was very good for the village. It took into account most of the points we made, including about sustainability, our lack of bus services for instance. There are no connections here unless you have a motor car.”
He thanked villagers including Protect Hurst Action Group and the Say No team for all their support.
A resident said work by Hurst Neighbourhood Plan working group had also contributed greatly.
“The result confirms Hurst is not sustainable for inappropriate development outside the settlement limit,” they added.
Cllr Smith added: “We fight on.”
Wokingham Borough Council’s consultation to find out what people think about building 24 homes on the old Hurst Show site in School Road finished on Thursday.
There had been more than 150 comments, with only 24 of those in support of that scheme, a resident said.
Hurst is also waiting to hear whether Wokingham Borough Council will give planning permission for 33 homes on a Broadcommon Road field.
The 200 homes plan appeal inspector David Wildsmith was concerned about the arrangements to make up for the loss of 46% of the field’s habitat.
Improving a field in Arborfield was proposed to make up for the Hurst wildlife’s loss. He wrote about “some uncertainty” about the deliverability and security of the biodiversity net gain.
He said the new homes scheme “could not be said to protect and enhance the natural environment.” It would also “fail to conserve the low-density pattern of settlement centred around Hurst and Whistley Green.”
The company appealing for permission to build at Tape Lane/Lodge Road, Mactaggart and Mickel, has been asked for a comment on the appeal decision.
The Inspector’s full findings can be found at: Documents for reference 220458: Public Access (wokingham.gov.uk) under “PINS – appeal decision”. The planning application was number 220458.
