Disappointment at racecourse decision

Objectors have spoken of their disappointment at the approval granted by councillors last night (Wednesday)

OBJECTORS to the plans for 421 homes in the first phase of the redevelopment of Newbury Racecourse have spoken of their disappointment at the approval of the application.

Last night (Wednesday), five councillors on the western area planning committee backed the West Berkshire Council planning officers' recommendations to grant permission for the plans – the first of three ‘reserved matters' applications due before committee in the coming months.

However, the application was passed despite many concerns among objectors, councillors and ward members alike, including over the lack of ‘pepper potting' of the 127 affordable housing units in the first phase of the overall £300m development, which could see up to 1,500 homes built on the site.

After the meeting, Boundary Road resident Ben Motteram said he was disappointed, but not surprised by the decision.

He said: “It was inevitable.

“My feeling is that profit has won here – lots of sensible suggestions were made by the councillors but it is like they [the officers] are too biased towards them [the developers].”

Mr Motteram described the intervention of the planning officers during the meeting as ‘emotional blackmail', particularly, he said, when they interrupted the debate to inform councillors that the council would be likely to lose on appeal if the application was refused and the developers appealed the decision.

In response, district council spokesman, Phil Spray, said: "Officers give advice to elected councillors on matters of national planning guidance. It is therefore appropriate that one aspect of this advice may be the likelihood that refusal of an application could be successfully appealed.

"The final decision rests with members and there are cases, such as recently with Newbury Showground, where members reach a decision which does not follow the advice of the officers. Indeed, of the four planning applications considered by members at the committee last night, two agreed with officers' recommendations while two did not."

Meanwhile, ward member Roger Hunneman (Lib Dem, Victoria) said he too was disappointed with the outcome, adding that although it was not part of the reserved matters application, he was concerned about the ongoing traffic impact of the development.

He said: “I know it was settled at the outline stage, but I have yet to see a plan for the traffic for big events such as busy racedays or concerts.

“That is my main concern for the future.”

In addition, Mr Hunneman said he could not help but feel there may have been some sleepwalking going on when the original outline permission was granted, adding that people may not have realised all the implications at the time.

However, Newbury Racecourse and the developers David Wilson Homes have described the granting of this latest permission as an important milestone in the redevelopment.

Managing director of David Wilson Homes, Paul Crispin, said: “We are delighted with the outcome of the committee meeting.

“There's still much to be done before we can put a spade into the ground but without this consent we couldn't move forward.

“It's well reported that there's a major shortage of new and affordable homes and this is a fantastic opportunity to deliver a great selection of new homes in such a fabulous historic location.”

Building work is anticipated to start in late spring or early summer next year, with the first homes likely to be ready for occupation by the end of 2012.