Thatcham disused waste depot site up for sale

‘For sale’ signs were spotted going up last week, and West Berkshire Council has now confirmed that it is planning to sell the former Veolia site in Pound Lane with the expectation that it will be bought for housing.
The council has also moved to curb concerns that a deal with a developer could encroach on the Pound Lane open space.
Spokeswoman Peta Stoddart-Crompton said: “The simple facts are that the former depot has now been put on the market. It is our expectation that it will be sold for residential development which, under planning guidelines, should include some social housing.
“The land that has been put on sale is that plot, not any neighbouring land.”
Thatcham resident and local Labour Party spokesman Richard Garvie said that he was relieved the park was not under threat, but added that he hoped the council took the opportunity to ensure a substantial number of affordable homes were included within any deal.
He said: “What residents do not want to see is a scheme that will expand into the neighbouring green space.
“The Pound Lane park is well used by local residents and I, like many others, would not want to see that green space reduced.
“I’ve certainly made my thoughts clear to West Berkshire Council, and thankfully the current land disposal does not include any of the park and I think that should be applauded by local residents.
“I would personally welcome anything that included a substantial number of affordable units and something which brings traffic calming measures to Pound Lane in order to prevent the continued use of Pound Lane as a rat run.”
Mr Garvie also said that he would like local people to have a say on the design and facilities of any potential development.
“This site has been empty for around a year now, and it certainly has the potential to become something positive for the community.
“What I would like to see happen now is for a deal to be done fairly quickly with a developer and for the community to have an input towards the design of the scheme.”