THE FATE of one of Wokingham’s few remaining rural spaces is in the balance this week, as councillors, developers and residents discuss a planning application from Monopro Ltd to build homes on green space between Wokingham and Barkham.
A public meeting at Shute End has begun, and will continue until Friday, after which National Government Inspector Mr David Rose will make a decision on the future of the site.
Monopro Ltd wants to build 60 homes on agricultural land off Limmerhill Road, close to Ye Olde Leathern Bottel pub.
The developer argues that there is great need for housing in Wokingham, saying that 40 per cent of its new homes would be affordable, and that some of its properties would be reserved solely for more elderly residents.
Residents and Wokingham Borough Council are against the development, and the council has twice already rejected previous Monopro planning applications to build on Limmerhill.
The council has found designs ‘cramped’, has said that building on the site would have a ‘prominent negative and detrimental impact on the landscape and character’ of the area, that good quality agricultural land would be lost, that the development would remove the last open space separating Wokingham and Barkham, and that the proposed development’s countryside location would force new residents to drive to facilities and services.
Limmerhill is thought to have archeological significance, with Natural England deeming it of special environmental quality.
Berkshire Archaeology has also warned that there is risk of damage to ancient remains if the area is developed.
Significant finds have been uncovered just 40 metres away, including four iron-age furnaces, and Stone Age Mesolithic flint.
Councillor Louise Timlin will be speaking at the appeal, and is not in favour of the development.
She said: “I will be speaking as a representative of Wokingham Town Council Planning Committee, which has already previously objected to the development, and as Ward Councillor of Evendons.
“I’m also a local resident, with local knowledge of the area.
“Limmerhill Road Residents Association has been impressively organised, done a lot of work, and carried out a lot of research.
“Their members will also be speaking here this morning.
“Monopro has appealed because their planning application to build 60 houses has twice been rejected, along with their access route application.
“But we feel there are valid grounds to object.
“This development would remove the last remaining gap between Wokingham Town and Barkham.
“It would permanently close that gap, and that is one of the reasons the area has not been approved for development.”
For information, visit: publicaccess.wokingham.gov.uk (search for planning application 232621), and for a Teams link to the online public meeting, go to Save Limmerhill’s Facebook page.
