Plans for 265 homes in Cold Ash refused

Councillors vote to reject plans for development to the north of Thatcham

PLANS to build up to 265 homes between Thatcham and Cold Ash were rejected by West Berkshire councillors last night.

During a meeting of the West Berkshire Council western area planning committee members voted against the development to the north of Heath Lane and west of Cold Ash Hill.

Croudace Strategic had applied to build the homes along with a sports pitch and pavilion, allotments, community orchard and provision for a GP surgery.

However officers had recommended the application for refusal for a number of reasons including flooding concerns and increased traffic along Bowling Green Road.

There were also concerns that the development would cause the two settlements to effectively merge into one another and lose their separate identities.

Members also pointed out that the site was not listed on the council’s own development plan document (DPD), which was agreed on only last month.

Speaking at the meeting last night Hilary Cole (Con, Chieveley) said: "We are a planning led authority and we do have a plan.

"At some time in the future an application like this will be approved - that time is not now.

"I propose that we refuse this application.

Chairman of the western area planning committee, Paul Bryant (Con, Speen), concluded: “If we decide to approve this application you are ripping up the DPD and inviting developers to build wherever they like.”

Councillors voted unanimously against the development.

For the full story see next week's Newbury Weekly News.