A PUBLIC consultation into a new development in north Wokingham was met with mixed views last week.
Berkeley Homes, which is applying to develop land at the old Bell Farm, in Bell Foundry Lane, held the session at Cantley Park Hotel on Wednesday, June 8 to display their proposals for the site.
The application, which is yet to be submitted to Wokingham Borough Council’s planning department, includes plans for 128 new homes within the 37-acre site, with more than 22 acres of land being developed as public open space , featuring ponds, wildflower meadows and informal play areas.
The developers will also look to contribute to improvements to the Bell Foundry Lane section of the North Wokingham Distributor Road.
The application has caused controversy, however, as while the area is within the Borough Council’s Strategic Development Location (SDL), the number of houses is not.
Resident Molly Baller, who has lived just around the corner from the site in Milton Road since 1984, said: “My general concerns for the area are over the infrastructure. There are all these houses being proposed here, along with those at the Matthews Green development, but no new doctors’ surgeries being planned. I recently had to wait over a week to get an appointment to see my GP and I worry it is only going to get worse.
“I have lived in this area for more than 30 years and have seen a lot of change. I suppose you could say that it is progress, but for some people it can be quite frightening.”
Marian Robertson, who lives near the Coppid Beech said: “The housing numbers for the SDL do not include this particular development, and you have to ask yourself what the point of having a plan is if developers are just going to come in and do what they like.
“I’m concerned about the flood plain as well, when it comes to water you have to be very careful.”
Howard Gell, a consultant civil engineer for Berkeley Homes, was in attendance to ease any concerns over the flooding issues, by explaining how the site will be remodelled to direct the water from Ashridge stream away from the new houses.
Land director Elkie Lees who attended the consultation said the feedback had been mostly positive, with visitors saying they liked the design of the houses and the plans for the open space.
She said: “We would like to thank those that took the time to attend our exhibition on Wednesday. Those who attended were able to view Berkeley Homes’ proposal for 128 new homes at Bell Farm. These new homes will be delivered on the southern section of the site, to the south of Ashridge Stream. The remaining two thirds of the land will be provided as a new country park with walkways, woodland, new ponds and informal play areas for all to enjoy. The development of this site will also facilitate an improved NDR along this section of Bell Foundry Lane as land is provided to accommodate new ditch and foot and cycleway.”
