Home   News   Article

Subscribe Now

Thatcham Town Council objects to 200 homes and care home on Bowling Green Road




Thatcham Town Council has objected to a planning application for 200 homes and a three-storey care home.

The development, situated between Bowling Green Road, Heath Lane and Cold Ash Hill, is called Henwick Park.

Planning developer Croudace Homes has submitted an outline application for an 80-bed care home and up to 200 residential dwellings.

Henwick Park 200 home plan
Henwick Park 200 home plan

Thatcham Town Council (TTC) has objected to the application along with 39 representations of objection.

Promises made in the current West Berkshire Council Local Plan Review for housing and infrastructure in the district is one of the reasons for the town council’s objection.

The current Local Plan states that Thatcham town centre will be a focus for regeneration.

The provision of leisure and community facilities for all ages is to be improved along with retail offer and an enhanced streetscape.

Ultimately Thatcham is to become more self-contained providing a range of job opportunities and encouraging residents to shop and socialise locally.

TTC said, in its refusal, that none of this regeneration has taken place.

It said: “There is a severe deficit of infrastructure for the residents of the town and surrounding villages.

“The town council therefore objects to the approval of any further significant developments until this deficit has been addressed.”

The plans, which were submitted last month, will also see a public open space including a country park, allotments, community orchard, trim trail and equipped play areas.

TTC said that if the application is approved, the public open space must be a resource for all residents of Thatcham and Cold Ash.

At the moment the plan for the country park shows a network of paths only accessible from the housing development.

Other objectors said the development wouldn’t be supported by current infrastructure specifically GPs and pharmacies, minimal public transport and narrow access roads.

The loss of green space and flooding issues also came into question.

Water basins are being constructed in this area and the applicant said a considerable amount of liaison and co-ordination has been carried out to ensure the proposed main access route into the site can be facilitated between the new flood basins.

The proposals were also met with a representation “broadly in favour” with the development of a new care home.

The individual said: “We will want reassurance that the applicant has considered carefully sourcing arrangements and access for staff, given the high employment rates in West Berkshire.”

To view and comment on the latest application, enter 23/00798/OUTMAJ into West Berkshire Council’s planning website.



Comments | 0
This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More