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Opposition grows to proposed Tadley housing development and care home




Contributions mooted from households affected to pay for barrister

RESIDENTS turned out in force last week to voice their opposition against plans to build a care home and large housing development in Tadley.

It was standing room only at two separate meetings on the issue, in Tadley on Monday evening and in Baughurst the following evening.

Jointly submitted by Gladman Developments Ltd and Tadley Land Ltd, one application is for outline planning permission to build up to 145 houses, including up to 40 per cent affordable, plus a 60-unit extra-care development, in Bishopswood Lane, a conservation area.

Public open space, a children’s play area, a village green, and enhanced ecological area are also proposed.

The second application, submitted by Graham Land and Developments, is for a two- and three-storey, 120-bedroom care home, with parking and access at Bishopswood Golf Course, also in Bishopswood Lane.

Some 45 people crowded out Monday’s Tadley Town Council meeting, where concerns included that the developments would set a precedent.

Further worries included increased traffic from an estimated 500 extra vehicles on the narrow Bishopswood Road, destruction of four SSSIs and wildlife, and restricted emergency vehicle access.

Pointing out several local schools were approaching capacity, teacher Jan McDonald, of Blackthorn Close, said: “Where are these children from the housing development going to go and who will teach them?”

Councillor John Moss (Ind, Tadley East) pointed out the likely worsening problems of sewage rising through drains into gardens following heavy rain or flooding.

Councillor Jo Slimin (Lib Dem, Tadley Central) said the lack of a Local Plan in place at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council was allowing developers to push through plans.

The proposed housing site includes the Baughurst parish boundary, and Baughurst Parish Council called a special public meeting at the Hurst Leisure Centre, in Woodlands Road, on Tuesday after developers pushed promotional brochures through letter boxes.

It was pointed out a total 2,500 patients were allocated to one local GP, compared to the NHS recommended maximum of 1,700.

A promise of developers’ funds for additional GPs was useless because the problem related to the national shortage of GPs.

John McMordie, who has lived in Sheridan Crescent for 37 years, highlighted two road traffic fatalities near the proposed site in the last 30 years.

Councillors pointed out a need for housing in the area, but on smaller, alternative sites, with construction work likely to boost the local economy and employment.

The developments lie within the 3km emergency planning zone surrounding AWE Aldermaston and parish council chairman Martin Slatford said the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) had not objected to the care home, as it was classified as a business.

However, he said the ONR was objecting to the housing development.

A suggestion for householders to contribute funds for a barrister to fight the plans, followed by a show of hands, indicated 70 per cent in favour.

Anyone interested was advised to register on the Baughurst Society website at www.baughurstsociety.org.uk/

Tadley Town Council and Baughurst Parish Council have lodged strong objections to the proposals.



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