Housing approved for Thatcham's Henwick Lane
New development given go-ahead despite some objections
FOURTEEN family homes are to be built near the Henwick Worthy Sports Field.
West Berkshire Council approved Paladay Developments Ltd’s application to build four two-bedroom houses; eight four-bedroom houses and two five-bedroom houses on an area of vacant land behind Henwick Lane and Roman Way last month.
Four of the properties will be affordable housing, and 27 car parking spaces are being provided with the development.
The council received 12 representation letters regarding the application – six of which were objections, three were in support, while three were comments in relation to the application.
Objectors said that the development represented over-development in the area and that the design was out of keeping with the character of the neighbourhood.
They said that neighbouring properties would suffer from overshadowing, loss of light, and noise and smells.
The proposed access road was also said to be inadequate for emergency service vehicles and to have poor visibility.
Some objectors also argued that the new road would provide criminals with access to neighbouring gardens.
Supporters argued that the development would provide family homes in Thatcham, something that the town needed, on a currently vacant and unmaintained area of land. They also said that the work being carried out by a local building firm would provide jobs in the local community.
Thatcham Town Council raised no objections to the plans; subject to the relocation of four parking spaces.
The developer’s contributions sought by West Berkshire Council includes £55,000 towards highways; £15,975.66 for education and £20,360 towards open spaces.
In approving the plans the council said that the proposal would not cause serious harm to the character and appearance of the area and made efficient use of land within the town. It said that the development would not cause detrimental overlooking to neighbours but accepted that there would be some increase to general noise level and traffic flow.
The council countered, however, by saying that the site was in a residential area where the addition of 14 properties would not produce any significant increase in the noise generated and traffic flow sufficient to cause unacceptable harm.
