Plans for more housing in Thatcham are submitted

Shanly Homes has submitted one application for 11 homes and another application for 12 homes to be built on land to the rear of Henwick Lane, in the hopes that one will be passed.
The land, which backs onto both Henwick Lane and Roman Way, is currently unused and if either of the plans are approved, access to the site will be from a proposed new road off Henwick Lane.
Sophie Waggett from Beaconsfield-based Shanly Homes said that the new proposed homes would compliment the others in the area.
She said: "The proposal seeks to introduce 12 dwelling houses into the area, the occupants of which would utilise the existing local goods and services thus reinforcing the economic viability of the town centre.
"The layout seeks to make the best use of this location whilst maintaining a relationship to neighbouring properties along Henwick Lane, Roman Way and the agricultural small holding to the north which avoids any adverse physical impact or undue overlooking."
She added: "The outcome is a modestly sized scheme that results in a sympathetic and sustainable development within context of the area and surrounding buildings, whilst at the same time presenting improvements to the public realm as a whole."
Thatcham town councillor, Gary Johnson (Lib Dem, Thatcham West) said he would be happy for application to be passed and said he prefers applications like this, for smaller developments, be approved rather than major ones such as the 300 homes which are being proposed at land at Tull Way.
He said: "I don't see any problems with nine to 10 houses if the land is available.
"I'm quite happy with that as long as they are not squashed."
Thatcham Town Council has yet to discuss the applications and West Berkshire Council is due to make the final decision on them by the end of July.
An initial application was submitted on this land for 10 houses in 2004.
This was refused but allowed on appeal as the inspector thought it was a well-established residential area and as such would be suitable for development providing that it respected the surrounding density.