Greenham residents fear New Road homes will ‘destroy’ wildlife but Newbury-based Rivar Ltd states they will cause ‘no harm’

Several Greenham residents have strongly objected to plans to build homes on a field next to ancient woodland due to its potential negative impact on local wildlife.

However, the property developer that submitted the plans has stated that the construction of the homes would have “no harm” on the woodland.

The plans to build between four and nine houses on a field south west of New Road have also been criticised by residents for possible flood risks, access issues and sewage problems.

Newbury-based residential property developer Rivar Ltd submitted the planning application on December 23 and it has garnered more than 40 letters of objection since then.

One objector made their feelings known by submitting We’re Going to See the Rabbit by Alan Brownjohn, a poem which tells the story of a dystopian English future where people gather around a small enclosure to see the final rabbit remaining in the country.

The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) objected to the plans as a consultee, stating that the development would be “inappropriate due to the potential negative impact to the adjacent West Wood”.

BBOWT argued that although the applicant has included the legal requirement of a 15-metre buffer between the new homes and the woodland, a 50-metre should be put in place to adequately protect it.

BBOWT planning and policy officer Holly Gray said: “The land on the site is currently acting as the last remaining natural buffer between the woodland and the existing development.

“By building on this land, the loss of this buffer would undermine the remaining resilience of the ancient woodland.

“Due to the size of the site, a truly sufficient natural buffer (of 50 metres) which would fully protect this irreplaceable habitat from deterioration, caused by the adverse effects from construction and operation of the development, cannot be achieved so any development on the site would threaten the adjacent woodland.”

In its plans, Rivar stated that the proposed 15-metre buffer would be sufficient to protect West Wood.

It made comparisons to points made by the Sandleford Park East inspector and secretary of state when they upheld the appeal and granted permission for the construction of up to 1,000 homes on land in southern Newbury.

During that process, the inspector accepted that a 15-metre buffer next to ancient woodland in Sandleford would be sufficient, and they also noted that the justification for BBOWT’s 50-metre buffer was “unclear”.

Rivar stated: “The expert evidence and professional advice demonstrates that the development of the site would have no harm on West Wood (ie would have a neutral effect).

“As such, a residential development of up to nine dwellings is achievable without resulting in the loss or deterioration of the ancient woodland and, therefore, should not be refused on these grounds.”

Despite these points raised by Rivar, residents still believe that the homes would have a significant negative impact on local wildlife.

One resident stated that the development site was a “haven” for local wildlife.

“Regular sightings of roe deer, muntjac, jays, common buzzards, foxes, bats, reptiles and tawny owls highlight its ecological importance,” they said.

“The proposed development would destroy critical habitats and disrupt food chains supporting this biodiversity.

“The proximity of the development to the protected woodland appears insufficient to safeguard its ecological integrity, potentially causing irreparable harm to the habitat.”

One objector said: “It is sheer ecological vandalism to destroy a boggy area like this so close to an ancient woodland in a neighbourhood that has suffered so many incursions already – for what?

“Such a small number of houses will have no noticeable impact on any targets, and Newbury has already several large-scale developments.

“The environmental damage from this application is massively out of proportion to any possible benefits.”

Another resident commented: “The proposed development will have a devastating impact on the local wildlife, which is a cherished part of our community.

“On weekends, it is common to see children walking along the bridleway to observe deer, squirrels, and other animals.

“This development would destroy the natural habitats and make these experiences not possible for current and future generations.”