Developer scales back Shaw housing plan but still no support from campaigners

At stake is the future of “this beautiful valley” – land to the north and west of Vodafone’s UK headquarters in Newbury.
Developer Commercial Estates Group (CEG) said it had responded to concerns raised in the consultation process by reducing the envisaged number of homes from 750 to 400, while dropping plans for a hotel altogether.
However, the Donnington Valley Action Group (DVAG) has vowed to fight on.
A spokesman for the group, Nick Harrison, said: “We are still opposing this for the same reasons and we fear that 400 homes will later be increased should any planning permission be obtained.
“If development goes ahead, this will be a foothold in this beautiful valley that will be totally destroyed by any development in time. We want zero homes.”
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Opponents fear the impact that the development could have on the infrastructure and character of the area.
CEG has pointed to West Berkshire Council’s core strategy, requiring a minimum of 10,500 new homes across the district by 2026 - around 5,400 in the Newbury area.
The company said that the 3,500 proposed at Sandleford and t-The Racecourse Newbury left 1,900 homes to meet the town’s housing needs and that its development would help fill that gap.
CEG has also promised to set aside space for a new primary school should the council make this a requirement.
The plans incorporate land for a shop or community hall as well as a potential GP or dental surgery.
Opponents have highlighted how heavy rainfall this winter led to groundwater flooding at the proposed site.
However, CEG claims that it was an exception and the Environment Agency has designated the land as low risk in future.
The company has also offered to upgrade existing flood defences.
Currently there is no vehicular access intended from the site on to Love Lane, but CEG has proposed provision of a bus, pedestrian, cycle, emergency access and drop-off area from the road.
The company has also offered to improve roads in the area while incorporating existing bus services into the site and promoting other modes of transport. Improvements to the Robin Hood roundabout are also being discussed.
CEG development project manager Matt Tunley said: “We have listened to what residents have said and as a result reduced the scale, removed the hotel and increased the amount of green space and landscaping.”
A brochure providing an update to the proposals is likely to be issued to more than 5,000 homes at the end of the month. It will also be available on the website

A planning application is expected to be submitted this summer.