Political row erupts over core strategy

West Berkshire's Liberal Democrats have reacted angrily to Conservative claims over their stance on Sandleford Park

A POLITICAL row has erupted over Conservative claims that West Berkshire's Liberal Democrats recently made a U-turn on their stance over development at Sandleford Park.

At a recent full council meeting, the Liberal Democrats were angered by a refusal to debate the need for 2,000 homes at Sandleford Park (1,000 by 2026) - one of two key strategic sites in West Berkshire's core strategy alongside Newbury Racecourse - after they had sought to put forward an amendment for an independent consultation to consider Sandleford's position as a strategic site.

The Liberal Democrat spokesman on planning, Royce Longton (Lib Dem, Burghfield), said that as development was not needed at Sandleford until after 2016, there were strong possibilities alternative brownfield land may become available that could accommodate most or all of the housing proposed for Sandleford Park.

However, the amendment was not voted on, as council officers claimed it could undermine the core strategy for homes in West Berkshire as a whole because the strategic sites were unanimously agreed upon in principle, by full council last year, to be put out for consultation.

Council leader, Graham Jones (Con, Lambourn), said after the recent meeting that the amendment could have achieved catastrophic and irresponsible consequences.

He also described the Liberal Democrats' actions as an “opportunistic attempt at re-writing history.”

The executive member for planning, Alan Law (Con, Basildon), further incensed the Liberal Democrats by accusing them of being in turmoil over the issue, claiming that the opposition had attempted a “180-degree about turn over a decision they supported last year” in a bid to put some “yellow” water between the two political parties ahead of forthcoming local elections in May.

In response, Mr Longton argued this week that the Liberal Democrats had consistently opposed the plans for 3,500 new homes in the Greenham area.

He said his party would be running a ‘Say No to Sandleford' campaign and added: “A 180-degree about turn? I don't think so.

“Indeed, Greenham's Liberal Democrat councillors have been on record as opposing the allocation of 2,000 homes to Sandleford Park since it was first suggested in 2009.”

But Mr Law retorted that this was “disingenious” of Mr Longton as he claimed the Liberal Democrats' record in council suggested otherwise, adding that it seemed incredible the opposition did not address the issue last year.

Mr Jones said Sandleford was identified as a strategic site for housing because the Liberal Democrats had supported it. He said there was no difference between the parties on the council's position to support building on brownfield sites.

Meanwhile, as several proposed changes to the Local Development Framework were published for public consultation last week, the Newbury Labour Party said it was brilliant news that employment land - areas used only for employment and industrial purposes within the district - was being protected, for now at least.

Community organiser for the party, Richard Garvie, said the document looked much better on the whole, although he said there were still issues over affordable housing policy and certain aspects surrounding Sandleford.

People are able to comment on the proposed changes until March 18.