THERE were cries of joy from members of the public as a controversial planning application to build 750 homes at Pincents Hill, Tilehurst, was rejected.
More than 150 people packed into Little Heath School, Tilehurst, last night (Wednesday), to hear members of the eastern area planning committee reject plans to develop the land which sits outside the settlement boundary and in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Developer Blue Living was not present however they sent solicitor, Steve Turnbull, who read out a statement on their behalf.
He was constantly heckled by members of the public and chose to leave the meeting before it ended.
Mr Turnbull also infuriated the committee after he accused councillors of politicising the planning application in an attempt to win votes in the upcoming election.
He also said his clients were treated in a discourteous manner by planning officers and that the application would create up to 100 permanent jobs and about 300 temporary jobs.
Mr Turnball added: "My client believes this application has not received the consideration it merits as a truly sustainable extension to economic driver in this region."
Members of the committee replied by saying his comments were "arrogant and extreme" and chairman, Brian Bedwell (Con, Calcot), added: "Members take exception to the inference that they have not come here with open minds. We do not pre-determine planning applications."
The outline planning application, which would include plans for a hotel, provisions for shops and local drinking establishments, was rejected on the grounds that it is not sustainable and that it goes against many of the council's own planning policies.
A total of 1,415 formal letters of objection were received by members of the public and other organisations, including the Highways Agency, Reading Borough Council and the Ramblers Association among others, also raised objections.
People who chose to speak out against the meeting, included Conservative candidate for Reading West, Alok Sharma, and his Labour rival, Naz Sarkar, Chairwoman of the Save Calcot Action Group, Joan Lawrie, and Chairwoman of the Tilehurst Parish Council, Jean Gardner.
Conservative ward members for Birch Copse, Emma Webster, Joe Mooney and Tony Linden, also spoke out against it.
Mr Linden said the site was a "green lung between Tilehurst and Calcot with Theale village and a valuable amenity space for local residents".
He added: "I believe the application is in the wrong place, the density of the development is more suited to an inner urban location rather than the suburban outskirts of a town."
Speaking after the meeting, Mrs Lawrie, said it was a brilliant result.
She added: "However Blue Living's approach to West Berkshire [councillors] was absolutely abysmal. If they choose to go to appeal they will lose because the application is totally flawed.
"But West Berkshire [Council] has supported the local people by turning this application down."