Residents have their say on Speen development
Further light has been shed onto a 125-house development in Speen, but it is still failing to draw in support from residents.
Draft plans for the development, which is proposed for land in the north-west of the village, close to the A34, were erected in Speen village hall on Wednesday night to officially kick-start a public consultation process.
It was the first time many had seen any detail of the development, which includes a new access road onto Bath Road, with a right-turn lane to reduce traffic congestion, as well as an area of public open space which planning agent Steven Smallman said would not be developed as the area was “visually sensitive”.
However, several residents said they were unhappy with the proposal, highlighting concerns on the increase in traffic, issues surrounding schooling and the fact that the allotments would be required to move if the development was given the green-light.
Bath Road resident Carrie Hinton said her main concern was an increase in traffic. “The amount of traffic, it’s [already] huge,” she said. “This road will inevitably take even more traffic.”
Speen Lane resident, Colin White, added: “They haven’t thought out the entrance onto the A4... it’s already a problem getting out of Speen Lane.
“It’s a rat run already.”
High in the firing line was the possibility of the allotments being moved to within 30m of the Newbury bypass.
In accordance with West Berkshire Council policy, an alternative site must be provided and a number of factors must be considered, including the horticultural value of the replacement site, access and parking provision and accessibility.
Allotment members state the proposed replacement site, accessible from Lambourn Road, falls flat of the requirements and claim some, particularly elderly members, will be forced to abandon their plots as a result of having no means of transport to the new site.
Plot holder of 12 years and resident of Sutton Road, Jim Birch, said: “I would not move. If it is taken off us, I will leave.
“It takes years to get it right. “There’s quite a few who I know who have said if it moves then I’m gone.”
On behalf of Sutton Estates, Jonathan Russell, said that no formal plans would be lodged with West Berkshire Council until the public had had a chance to voice their concerns, and that they would be taken on board.
He said: “It’s a consultation process so we are going to… the views and the issues raised by the stake holders and local residents.
“Then we can respond to those views.” When asked if the development could continue without the land currently occupied by the allotments, which would see the proposal 28 houses short, Mr Russell said: “I’m not ruling out anything.
For more detail on the development and more local reaction see next week’s Newbury Weekly News.
