Controversial second Sandleford Park application receives hundreds of objections

Objectors say plans for the first phase of the development are "not fit for purpose"

A CONTROVERSIAL second application for the Sandleford Park development has received hundreds of objections since it was validated by West Berkshire Council.

The plans submitted by developer Bloor Homes Southern in January provide details of the first 337 homes of the development, as well as one of two new schools.

However, since January 14 the council has received more than 250 letters of objection, including more than 60 in the last week.

The developer had initially submitted a full hybrid application comprising an outline masterplan for the entire 2,000-home site, as well as more detailed plans for the first phase of the development.

After receiving the second application, West Berkshire Council expressed surprise as its Sandleford Park Supplementary Planning Document stipulated only one single planning application would be accepted for the site.

However, Bloor Homes Southern said that the second, simpler application had been submitted to help the council meet its timescales for the site to begin delivering 400 new homes by 2020.

Despite this, 261 objections have been submitted to the planning authority with the vast majority claiming that the second application should not be considered on its own as any decision made on these plans would be likely to affect future decisions on the full application.

‘Say No to Sandleford’ campaigner Peter Norman, wrote: “It is our view that the application as currently constituted is incomplete, not fit for purpose and not compliant with either the core strategy or Supplementary Planning document.

“It is hoped that, in working up new plans, Bloor Homes takes the various criticisms, not only of its plans but also about the process it has followed, on board and genuinely directly engages with all parties in devising a scheme that can win broad support not only from key stakeholders but the broader community as well.”

In her objection, resident Renata Bogdanowicz wrote: “I would like to make it clear that I think this new application should not be considered outside of the full Hybrid Planning Application as a number of issues raised with the outline planning directly impact on how the detailed application is considered and should be developed.”

Another objector wrote: “It is quite clear that this application must be considered alongside the developer’s longer-term intentions and cannot be viewed in isolation.

“However, the additional 337 homes and primary school will add very significantly to the traffic flows around the southern end of the town in particular, yet again does not address the problems that this will cause in any meaningful way.”

Giuseppe Zanre, of Bloor Homes Southern, said the developer would listen to the responses and work with the council to make changes where possible.

He added: “Sandleford Park, with up to 2,000 new homes, schools and a countryside park, is a significant planning application and development which is very important for Newbury and West Berkshire.

“Above all, the site is allocated for residential development and therefore we need to work closely with the council to address issues that arise from the development as thoroughly as possible.”