Call for former Thatcham Veolia site to become affordable housing

Last week, West Berkshire Council announced that the former Veolia waste depot in Pound Lane was for sale, with the expectation that it would be bought for housing. Now local Liberal Democrats have suggested that the site should be used to build 100 per cent affordable housing, not the statutory maximum 30 per cent asked of developers.
District councillor Keith Woodhams (Thatcham West) has asked the council to look into the idea of selling it with all of it used for affordable housing.
Mr Woodhams said: “The district has a huge waiting list for families looking for affordable homes and this site, which is a council asset and therefore owned by the public, would be perfect to help meet that demand.
"I am urging the administration at West Berkshire Council to open up a dialogue with housing associations to promote this site for affordable homes.”
He added that developer contributions could still provide funding for open space, transport, health care, libraries and adult social care.
Last week, district council spokeswoman Peta Stoddart-Crompton said: “It is our expectation that it will be sold for residential development which, under planning guidelines, should include some social housing.”
Nobody from the council was available for comment before the newspaper went to press yesterday (Wednesday).