Housing developer Bewley Homes to submit 245-home plans for Skates Lane at Tadley despite Local Plan setback

A housing developer will submit a planning application to build 245 homes on land south of Tadley despite a recent council setback.

Bewley Homes has decided to go ahead with its application to build a large residential development on land off Skates Lane even though Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council removed the proposal site from its Draft Local Plan in December.

The plans have also faced significant opposition from Tadley residents, with a campaign group Tadley and Pamber Rural Protection (TPRP) forming to voice concerns about the Skates Lane proposal.

Bewley believes that its development plans would assist the council in meeting its five-year housing supply, something that it believes the council is currently failing to do.

Bewley’s head of strategic land and planning Andy Morris said: “In the light of the urgent need for housing and, especially social rented homes, we think it’s unwise to overlook Tadley as a suitable location for a housing allocation and it is unfair to many local businesses who rely on a local workforce who can access decent accommodation.

“Bewley will continue to promote the site through the consultation stage of the Local Plan and query any further reasons that the allocation was withheld in the light of the work the company has concluded with the planners over the last 12 months.”

Bewley’s initial proposal was to build 260 homes at the Skates Lane site, but it has now reduced this to 245.

It is also planning on including space for a small convenience store within the development.

According to the Baughurst-based housing developer, Basingstoke and Deane is currently suffering from a “housing crisis” with its housing waiting list containing more than 5,000 families.

Over 100 homes, or 40 per cent of the development, will be affordable homes as a response to this.

It also stated that Tadley had received no housing allocations in more than 20 years, resulting in a lack of investment in infrastructure and falling school rolls.

Mr Morris added: “Bewley Homes has been promoting the land at Skates Lane, in Tadley, throughout the Local Plan Review and has engaged with the policy team at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to ensure that any issues around the sites suitability were all dealt with at an early stage to secure an allocation for the Local Plan which is ‘available, achievable and deliverable’ within the Local Plan timeframe.

“One of the greatest challenges for Tadley is the need to secure a housing allocation which is not subject to restrictions to designation from the safety zone around AWE and Skates Lane has been confirmed as acceptable in this respect.”