Bewley Homes reduce number of Wash Water homes from 350 to 270 in new plans

Developers have reduced the number of homes they propose to build in Wash Water from 350 to 270 in an attempt to address concerns over the controversial scheme.

Bewley Homes has made several changes to its proposal, many of them focusing on making the development better fit in with its rural surroundings.

The Baughurst-based housing developer first submitted its plans to build between the A34 and Andover Road in November of last year.

But the plans – titled Watermill Bridge – were met with significant backlash from nearby residents, with the main concerns being over flooding, traffic and the ability of infrastructure to cope with the influx of cars and residents.

Significant changes to the updated plans include the number of proposed homes to be reduced by 80, more green space to be introduced, and “a less linear perimeter block structure to soften the layout and provide a rural aesthetic” to be created.

There is also the addition of an agreement to extend an existing bus route into the development and “a greater variation in house types” that will provide “rural/village character to the street scene”. The proposal still includes creating a “2km segregated cycleway through Wash Water and into the centre of Newbury”.

There are no flats proposed on the updated scheme, and there is an increase in the number of semi and detached units with terraces “broken up considerably”.

Attenuation basins have also been included in new development layouts in a bid to combat flooding concerns.

The updated plans can be viewed on the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s planning portal website by searching reference 21/03394/OUT.

Buckingham Road resident John Parker has already registered his objection to the updated plans.

He said: “I have reviewed the amended documents associated with the above outline planning permission and have seen nothing which changes my original objections to the development.

“The reduction in the number of dwellings does not address the impacts of traffic and strain on the local amenities, facilities, schools and healthcare facilities in Newbury.

“The flood risk has not been properly addressed and the inclusion of attenuation basins is not a robust solution given the increasing unpredictability of our climate and weather.”