Could another 85 homes be built in Newbury?

Plans submitted for new development a stone's throw from Sandleford Park

PLANS to build up to 85 new homes a stone’s throw from the 2,000-home Sandleford Park development in south Newbury have been described as “a bad idea”.

Cheshire-based developer Gladman Developments has submitted proposals for a new residential development on an area of agricultural land that adjoins existing residential development along Andover Road and Garden Close Lane.

The plans include up to 40-per-cent affordable housing, formal and informal public open space on site, potential bus stop improvements and an improved footpath along Andover Road.

Vehicle access to the site would be from Andover Road.

Gladman, which is behind plans to build up to 70 homes in Burghfield and 300 homes in Tadley, says that West Berkshire Council has not identified sufficient land to meet its housing need.

John Gardner, Newbury town councillor for the St John’s ward, where the proposed housing site is based, said: “I cannot see that any more housing in that area would be a good idea.

“I am concerned that the traffic studies we have at present do not show a solution to Newbury’s traffic problems.”

A leaflet was sent to 505 households and businesses in Newbury by the developer informing them of the proposals before they were submitted.

In the leaflet, it says: “Councils have a duty to ensure that sufficient housing can be delivered to meet all the housing needs of the population in a five-year rolling period.

“To do this they must identify sufficient land to meet their wider housing need.

“Gladman considers West Berkshire Council falls short on this.”

Gladman said it understood that there was sufficient capacity in the local schools to accommodate the expected number of children who would be living on the completed development.

The site off Andover Road is a short distance from Monks Lane, where 2,000 new homes will be built over the next decade.

There are already concerns as to how Newbury’s road infrastructure will cope with the additional traffic generated from Sandleford Park, West Berkshire’s largest-yet development.

To view and comment on the application, visit http://planning.westberks.gov.uk/rpp/ ind ex.asp?caseref=15/03456/OUTMAJ