Meeting tonight to discuss Sandleford Park development

Outline plans to build 2,000 homes on Sandleford Park are currently under public consultation until December 16

RESIDENTS will get the chance to air their views over a potential 2,000 home development at Sandleford Park at a meeting tonight (Wednesday).

Outline plans to build 2,000 homes on the greenfield site, which runs parallel to Monks Lane down to the River Enborne, are currently under public consultation, which ends on December 16.

West Berkshire Council has identified a need to build 10,500 homes in the district by 2026 with many welcoming the plans which will help cut the affordable housing waiting list, which currently stands at 4,000.

However, concerns have been raised by both residents and councillors that south Newbury will suffer from over-development with the proposed plans at Sandleford Park and a potential 1,500 new homes at Newbury Racecourse.

Newbury Town Council has organised a meeting, which will be held at Newbury Rugby club at 7pm tonight, to discuss the development.

However, neither the executive portfolio holder for planning at West Berkshire Council, councillor Alan Law (Con, Basildon), nor district planning officers will be in attendance to the anger of leader of Newbury Town Council, councillor Julian Swift-Hook (Lib Dem, Pyle Hill).

Mr Swift-Hook said: “I'm really disappointed that West Berkshire Council has gone back on its word to us 3 years ago when they killed off the Area Forums.

“At the time, they promised to support us if we wanted to hold a public meeting on a matter of significant local importance, but now we are actually asking for their support, miraculously nobody is available.”

In response, Mr Law said: “I regret that I cannot attend this particular meeting as I have a prior commitment with Eastern Area Planning.

“This should have been better co-ordinated when the meeting was being planned. Neither I nor my officers were asked our availability.”