Opposition raised to lakeside homes in Theale

The plans, submitted by Central Corporation Securities Ltd, seeks to build two five bedroom, five four bedroom and one three bedroom homes on vacant land at the head of St Ives Close, Theale.
The applicant says that the properties will all have private drives with capacity for visitor parking and therefore no on-street parking will be required.
They add that sixteen cycle spaces will also be provided and that they intend to upgrade St Ives Close and construct a boardwalk on the edge of the lake.
Access to the site will be via an extension of St Ives Close and the applicant says that the level of traffic generated would not be a significant increase than the traffic currently using the close so there would be no adverse impact on local roads.
While local residents have not raised objections to the housing development concerns have raised over access, construction traffic, road safety and the position of one of the properties.
Speaking at a recent meeting of Theale Parish Council, one St Ives Close resident said that while he had no objection to the housing development: “All the sixth formers park up [Church Street] and one seems to take their lives in their hands when they come out that close with the amount of cars double parked.”
Another resident said: “You have to be half-way out the road sometimes before you can see. It’s a quiet residential street and lorries going up and down each day would put an end to that.
"I don’t object to the property development it’s the issue of access. [Construction traffic] must go through a different access point rather than St Ives Close. If you come face-to-face with a lorry coming down St Ives Close it’s not an issue it’s down right dangerous.
"We are struggling with water at the moment and extra housing puts pressure on drainage.”
The district councillor for Theale, Alan Macro, added that street lighting was likley to be added if the road was adopted by West Berkshire Council, which residents said they did not want.
On the boardwalk proposal parish council chairman, David Wood mentioned that a child had drowned in the lake many years ago.
Mr Macro said: “Although the boardwalk seems like a good idea the water level does vary quite considerably. You will either be on stilts like a seaside pier or underwater and if you’re on a boardwalk then it’s hard to get people out.”
However, one resident disagreed with Mr Macro saying, “It’s an eyesore across there and it improves safety. I think that the boardwalk is safer than slippery banks.”
Volunteer Road residents Sylvia Fowler Deborah Beresford have raised concerns that their properties would be overlooked.
Mrs Fowler said that the positioning of one house, referred to as plot eight, would have an unacceptable impact on her property as it would be overlooked and that side windows would look directly into her garden.
Parish councillors objected to the plans on the grounds of access, traffic and highway safety, boardwalk safety and the position of plot eight.
Mr Macro asked for highway improvements to be carried out before construction began as a condition for the development.
A decision is expected from West Berkshire Council by Thursday, March 6.