A united campaign has been launched to stop 200 new homes in a village where there’s been earlier disagreement on how to fight development.
A large banner urging: “SAY NO! to 200 houses in Hurst. Save Our Village” has just been erected by the village pond at Hurst’s busiest junction.
The homes are proposed for a green field between Lodge Road (the B3030) and Tape Lane. An application for planning permission has now been made.
Public drop-in information sessions have been organised for tomorrow (Friday) between 5pmnd 7pm and on Saturday between 10am and noon at St Nicholas Primary School, School Road, Hurst.
The drop-in sessions have been organised by a team from Hurst’s neighbourhood plan group, the parish council, Hurst Village Society and Protect Hurst Action Group.
The groups were called together last week by parish council chairman Wayne Smith.
The earlier disagreements seem to have been put aside as the group campaigns against permission for the homes.
Cllr Smith said afterwards: “The four groups had a constructive meeting to organise the campaign which will help and inform villagers who wish to object to the planning application.
“We would urge residents to come to a drop-in session and also to object to the application.”
Members of the campaign’s four groups will be at the sessions to talk to residents.
HVS planning spokesperson John Osborne said: “To be successful the campaign needs everyone to get involved by raising their personal objections.
“It is the joint team’s intention to provide a list of the most significant objections and perceived flaws in the application for people to include in their objections.” The society’s email is: planning@hvs.org.uk
Protect Hurst Action Group says: “We urge every resident to get involved, attend the drop-in session where you will be able to discuss the application and receive guidance on how to object effectively to this application and protect this village from this proposed inappropriate development.
“PHAG will also continue to give guidelines to their members – if you wish to join please email protecthurstactiongroup@outlook.com.”
A campaign page has been launched online at https://www.facebook.com/savehurst
Comments on the application, number 220458, can be made at Wokingham Borough Council’s website https://planning.wokingham.gov.uk by Friday, April 1.
