Sandleford protesters out in force again

A second protest walk across Sandleford attracted about 60 people yesterday (Sunday)

ABOUT 60 people gathered for another walk across the rolling green fields of Sandleford yesterday (Sunday), in opposition to plans to build up to 2,000 homes at the site.

For the second Sunday in succession, local protesters, families and councillors met at Warren Road for a walk armed with banners, placards and cardboard animal cut outs in recognition of the novel Watership Down, which was based on Sandleford.

The protesters then walked across the site where West Berkshire Council is proposing to build up to 2,000 homes as part of the district's core housing strategy to 2026, which outlines where 10,500 homes could be built in West Berkshire.

Campaigners are hoping to have an impact on the final decision over the core strategy, which will be made by a planning inspector in the New Year.

However, the deadline for responses to the district council's public consultation to the core strategy is Friday, December 16 – leaving little time for residents to make their opinions known.

Peter Norman, of the ‘Say No to Sandleford' group that has organised the protest walks, said he had been amazed at the amount of people who knew nothing about the plans, adding that now was the time to make their voices heard.

He said: “The main reason for these walks is to raise awareness [of what is being proposed], rather than this sneaking in through the back door.

“I hope that by doing this we will get more people putting in responses to the consultation.”

Mr Norman added that protest walks were likely to be held regularly at the site until a decision was made, adding that the next one would be on Sunday (December 18).

For a video of the walk and an interview with Mr Norman, click on the link above.