Plans to build a street of new houses on Sonning Golf Club would be like “selling off the family silver,” councillors were warned – before they gave the scheme the go-ahead last week,
Sonning Golf Club won planning permission for the scheme from Wokingham Borough Council at a meeting on Wednesday, August 9. Developers outline a plan for up to 50 houses on a strip of land off pound lane.
But residents, town and parish councillors warned the plans would mean the loss of green leisure space, increase dangerous traffic and contribute to overdevelopment.
Trefor Fisher from Sonning Parish Council said: “If this application goes through it will be the planning equivalent of selling off the family silver. The difference is the family silver can be bought back.
“This area of prime sports and leisure land in the countryside will be lost to the residents of Sonning and Wokingham Borough forever.”
Nearby residents and golf players warned the loss of a driving range would harm the Golf Club – while the new neighbours would be at risk of flying golf balls.
Local resident John Allen said: “The planned changes to the course will result in properties being in danger of flying golf balls. Already properties of the Charvil side of the course have come under attack from wayward golf balls.”
Carol Jewell from Woodley Town Council warned the development would damage the environment, harm the climate, and be too far from local shops.
She said she had three objections: “Number one – sustainability. Number two – sustainability. Number three – sustainability.”
But Tom Rumble from Woolf Bond Planning argued the plans wouldn’t harm the countryside, and would benefit the area.
He said: “This man-made driving range is not pristine, attractive countryside.
“The proposal represents a high quality but sensitive scheme that respects the character of the site and the surrounding area in every respect.”
Councillors voted to approve the plans by four to three, adding conditions that the club put up netting and build a footpath to improve pedestrian access.
Many club members are extremely disappointed about the homes plan approval.
A big sore point is the loss of their golf driving range. A new indoor simulator with a video-type screen and other new facilities will not be good enough
replacements, they said.
Member Mike Burlow, 66, of Charvil, fears it’s only a matter of time before the rest of course is developed.
He said he knew at least 100 of the 500 plus club members objected to the current plan.
“Why weren’t the golfers’ views taken into account – as a body they weren’t consulted,” he asked.
A council report to the planning committee said: “It has been demonstrated that the proposal would not impact the viability of the golf club and is acceptable in this regard.”
Mr Burlow said the driving range was heavily used by members and by players visiting for
professional tournaments, society and charity golf days.
The objectors could raise a judicial review into the decision but that would cost £10,000-£20,000.
The report said residents of 66 properties objected, along with local resident, former Prime MinisterTheresa May.
Mrs May, who lives close to the club, wrote objecting to the plan as the local MP reflecting constituents’ concerns. But she also shares the concerns as a local resident.
She said: “Such a large development risks permanently changing the village of Sonning.” It would change the area’s character, particularly as the golf course was designated as countryside.
The new homes could add nearly 300 people and 105 vehicles to a small village, increasing the population by about 17%.
“With other homes in the pipeline it could mean a rise of 25%.
“This would put pressure on GPs, local amenities and the transport network.
Her many concerns about wildlife and ecology were listed in papers presented to the committee.
