Several thousand pounds has been raised by campaigners against a 350-home development that is set to be taken to appeal.
The plan for 350 homes in Barkham was refused unanimously by Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee in September.
Berkley Homes wanted to build the properties, and a 68-bed care home, between Evendons Lane and Barkham Road.
The scheme would provide affordable homes, a care home under council use and 26 football pitches-worth of green space, which council officers outweighed the negative impacts of the new homes.
A total of 167 trees have been earmarked for removal as part of plans, with threats to the habitats of bats, badgers and birds.
Elkie Russell, managing director of Berkley Homes, said that the 350 homes were ‘much-needed’ for Wokingham, and that they would be delivered as a ‘thriving new neighbourhood’.
More than one thousand objections had been lodged against the plan by members of the ‘Save Blagrove’ campaign, who argued the scheme would ‘dramatically impact’ the local environment, roads and community.
Members of the planning committee said they thought the location wasn’t sustainable for new homes, due to a lack of public transport.
Original plans set out a diversion for a bus route through the new estate, but Reading Buses could not confirm whether this was possible.
Other concerns were raised about the loss of countryside land, which led to a unanimous vote against the plans.
Now, the developers are set to take the decision to appeal with the government inspectorate in March.
The Save Blagrove Campaign has raised £2,760, which organisers say will fund expert legal and environmental consultations.
