Council's plans for Sandleford are 'diseased' inquiry hears

The district council’s core strategy, a document which outlines the council’s plans for 10,500 new homes in the next 14 years, is being scrutinised at a public hearing in Newbury this week.
The hearing began yesterday at the Hilton Hotel, Pinchington Lane, where developers, residents and the Liberal Democrat opposition on West Berkshire Council attacked the council’s decision propose 2,000 dwellings for Sandleford, pictured.
Philip Kolvin QC, representing the promoters behind a site in North Newbury, the Fairhurst Estate and JSF Accumulation and Maintenance Settlement Trust (FE), described the plans for Sandleford as ‘diseased’, and said the plans should be removed from the core strategy.
He argued that district council’s selection process for strategic planning sites had been flawed and that councillors had been mislead by the council.
Wash Common resident Tony Hammond told the inspector that having two strategic housing sites in South Newbury, the other being at Newbury Racecourse, was not sustainable.
He also accused West Berkshire’s executive councillor for planning and housing, Alan Law (Con, Basildon) of scaremongering, after Mr Law urged councillors to adopt the core strategy in February or face a planning free for all.
The council will get its chance to respond to these claims when the hearing resumes today at 10am.