More homes will be built in Arborfield despite warnings from councillors that it could be ‘the straw that breaks the camel’s back’.
Fifty homes were approved for the growing village by Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee on Thursday, November 13 after a knife-edge vote.
Developer Anwyl Land Limited will build 50 homes on land off Langley Common Road, 40 per cent of which will be affordable.
But issues taken with the scheme by residents, three local parish councils and borough councillors were raised at the meeting, with claims more homes would overwhelm the village.
Arborfield is currently undergoing large-scale development on the former Arborfield Garrison site totalling 3,500 homes.
Along with this will be a village square, shops and a supermarket.
Barkham, Arborfield and Newland and Shinfield Parish Councils as well as 124 neighbours objected to 50 more homes, arguing housing in the area had ‘already been more than delivered’.
They argued that more housebuilding would exacerbate issues faced by residents including a lack of local amenities and shops.
Councillor Moses Iyengunmwena said he was concerned that local schools including Farley Hill Primary were ‘oversubscribed’ and could not cope with more demand.
But planning officers said places in other schools including Coombes and Gorse Ride Primaries as well as Bohunt Secondary School could take on more students.
Speaking about his concerns, Councillor Martijn Andrea said: “Arborfield is growing fast. There is still a lot of sustainability parts that need to get settled and matured, including traffic and public transport…is this the right time to do this?
“It could be the straw that breaks the camels back.”
But planning officers said this could not constitute a reason to refuse the plan – and if taken to appeal, the government would take a ‘dim’ view of the council’s argument.
“I don’t think the staggered nature of Arborfield coming forward would be a sound ground to resist the development,” a planning officer said.
Councillor Sam Akhtar agreed that ‘if it goes to appeal, it would go through,’ and warned colleagues: “We would be saying no to 20 affordable homes, so on balance, we need to think about what we’re actually saying no to.”
After a split vote, chairwoman of the committee Councillor Carol Jewell voted in favour of the plan.
Councillor Jewell said: “It’s not a perfect world, and we have to deal with things as they come up. [I will vote in favour] with much regret, because I don’t like seeing this sort of piece meal development, but we are bound by the government’s legislation and by the appeal situation.”
The decision was met by jeering from the public, who also staged a small protest prior to the meeting.
