Tull Way development: town cant take any more houses
Caroline Graham submitted an application last year for outline planning permission to build up to 90 houses on land in Tull Way, but it was refused by West Berkshire Council.
Now, as she plans her appeal to to the Department for Communities and Local Govern-ment, residents and a local councillor have spoken of their dismay that the scheme could be back on the cards after they spent months fighting them.
The petition against development on 7.4 hectares of agricultural land to the east of Tull Way was set up by Lisa Burgess, of Bowling Green Road, who said this week that the appeal was not unexpected.
“We are disappointed. It would have been nice if it had just gone away.”
She said that she would be writing with her objections and encouraged other residents to do the same.
District councillor Keith Woodhams (Lib Dem, Thatcham West) said that the town could not support another 90 homes.
“The planning officers have given a very clear indication that this housing development is unacceptable by refusing it.
“Thatcham has taken more than its fair share of housing development over the years and the infrastructure is simply not in place.”
He added that the number of homes would generate more traffic, with potentially another 320 vehicles in the area.
“Traffic has been queuing beyond Bowling Green Road trying to get into Newbury and road surfaces are breaking up under the increase weight of traffic, and more traffic will be generated by the Racecourse and Sandleford housing developments.
“The slightest vehicle accidents or road closures bring the whole area to a halt at peak times, delaying journeys to work, which is bad for the economy.
“For these reasons it’s a resounding no for the development – we just simply cannot take any more.”
Planners said that they refused the application because the site was part of the rural character of the area and there was insufficient information to show that 90 homes could be sustained on the land.
Mrs Graham could not be contacted for a comment.
The outcome of the appeal will be decided at a hearing, at the request of Mrs Graham.
A date for this has yet to be set by the Planning Inspectorate.
