PLANS TO knock down an office building so it can be replaced by a four-storey block of flats will see a quiet cul-de-sac changed forever, according to residents who live there.
Wokingham Borough Council have submitted a planning application for the conversion of Ashridge House, off Oaklands Park, as well as creating a three-storey development in the adjacent car park.
In all, 29 homes will be created by the scheme.
But residents in neighbouring Reeves Way have concerns about the plans.
They say the council’s plans have insufficient parking spaces, so the new residents will look to park in the cul-de-sac, which backs on to Leslie Sears playing field. This, they add, will cause congestion.
A row of cypress trees that currently separates the residential area from the business park will be felled.
The residents say this is a corridor for wildlife.
And they also say there is the possibility of contamination as there is thought to be a landfill site beneath the car park of Ashridge House.
Resident Pratisha Verma said: “This is a quiet cul-de-sac, but the development will change everything.
“We’re really concerned about the environmental damage, structural disturbance to our homes, and the potential health risks to residents from the landfill site during the works.
“Wokingham is known for its mix of country and town, but it will soon turn into a town full of apartments, just like London/”
She said the cul-de-sac’s residents were told they couldn’t convert their lofts as it would change the look of the buildings and might overlook neighbours, something that seems unfair given the height of the proposed buildings.
“This development doesn’t look anything like the existing houses, and we will be overlooked by a four-storey block of flats,” Ms Verma said.
The Reeves Way residents have set up a website setting out their objections, and have leafletted homes in the area, calling on others to share their views of the planning application ahead of the closing date of Tuesday, April 4.
Wokingham Borough Council is unable to comment on a live planning application.
The planning application can be found by searching for 230520 at: www.planning.wokingham.gov.uk, while the residents’ group can be found at: www.sites.google.com/view/protectreevesway
