News

Sandford Farm homes plan approved

By Lewis Rudd
November 04, 2009

Controversial plans to build hundreds of homes on Sandford Farm have been approved by a Government inspector.

Woodley Developments Ltd has today been granted outline planning permission to build 492-homes, 150-unit retirement community, a community centre and shops and offices after it appealed to the Planning Inspectorate.

The developers appealed following Wokingham Borough Council’s decision in January to refuse its proposal for the site in Mohawk Way, Woodley.

Protestors in mini-town battle

The decision by inspector David Nicholson comes despite the tireless efforts of the Loddon Valley Action Group (LVAG), who have long campaigned against any development at the recovering greenbelt site and raised more than £15,000 to have their arguments heard at the appeal in June.

Plea for funds to fight 500 home development

A frustrated David Parker, LVAG chairman, said: “We are very disappointed. We can only take some comfort from the fact there are a number of conditions the applicant has to get approval on in its final application.

“We’re disappointed and if I’m honest a little angry. There is nowhere for us to go from here because unfortunately the independent inspector is like a demi-god.

“I really don’t know where this leaves the planning statement for this borough, the application was refused on good grounds yet it has been overruled.

“We will examine the received documents and the details of his report.

“We are disappointed and very angry, but we would like to thank the residents for the support they have given and the money they have helped us to raise.”

What do you think of the inspector's decision? Leave your comments below.

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Most recent user comments 15 of 15

To The Racing Snake .... You will likely have a swimming pool in your basement as the site regularly floods. Also likely you will have methane leakage from the landfill. Also likely you will not have a double garage as the 490 houses are packed in so tightly together there won't be room to breathe. But if thats how you want to spend your money .....

monkeyfeatures, Woodley
11/11/2009 at 15:12

fantastic... put me down for a 4 bed with double garage please, preferrably with a swimming pool in the basement.

pip pip old boy

The Racing Snake
05/11/2009 at 23:47

The planning application appeal has not been approved yet. The Inspector is recommending approval but the Sec. of State has the final say and has deferred his decision until or before 10 March 2010 after submission of acceptable planning obligations (S106). I do not know how the inspector has come to this outrageous recommendation. He states that the Environment Agency have 'powers' to control the 'clean up' of this landfill site full of noxious waste - the EA are an advisory body - the developer will self control/regulate - and we all know what that means. I think it insulting that the Inspector also says in his report that "simply because some local residents on the low density Airfield estate cannot envisage life without the use of the private car does not mean that new residents would not prefer more sustainable options" - how prejudiced is that statement! He also states that he has given 'critical' weight to the provision of public transport links, particularly by bus..' - what buses, what public transport - there is none in East Woodley. We soon wont have any buses and nor park and ride. Woodley will fight on - this is a disgrace... J. Platt

Joanne Platt
05/11/2009 at 10:38

I would like to know if there is an Erin Brockovich available to do some digging into those making this decision. It is not possible for any reasonably intelligent human being, councillor or government official to see how clearly dangerous and ridiculous this development is. I would also like to know who will be liable in years to come, should any of our children suffer similar symptoms as have occurred (and been documented in reasons to deny approval) in other developments, where extraction of similar toxic wastes has taken place, as that known to be lying under the ground on the Sandford Farm site. This is quite unbelievable. I do hope there are Government Ministers who might read the facts involved in this case and do something before it is too late. This is a scandal !

Ged Clarke

Ged Clarke, Woodley
04/11/2009 at 21:08

Cllr Keith Baker, look on the bright side- the extra people living here would pay for the bus service you want RBC to fund at the moment!

hornbeam, reading
04/11/2009 at 19:56

Quelle suprise - as I posted on this story many weeks ago, it's a waste of time protesting. The 'Planning Inspectorate' (could you make up a more faceless Soviet style name?) will always override council decisions and locals' wishes in order to keep to Labour's destruction of SE England initiated I believe by the king of class envy, Prescott.

The Realist
04/11/2009 at 16:18

Just who is inspector David Nicholson accountable to exactly? That's the trouble with these faceless bureaucrats, they don't have to explain themselves to the people they ignore. I suspect the same will happen at other locations and there's nothing anyone can do about it. Who said this was a democratic country?

Mountain Cat, Tilehurst
04/11/2009 at 16:12

As a local councillor I share everyones sadness on this and would again put on record the absolutely fantastic effort that Loddon Valley Action Group have carried out over many, many years. However, whilst everyone involved needs to spend a little time regrouping there is still an important task to be carried out in the future. We need to examine every single condition and make sure that the developers keep absolutely to them and if not we need to be down on them like a ton of bricks! Let's not give them any wriggle room whatsoever...

Cllr Keith Baker
04/11/2009 at 16:11

This is a complete disgrace and is symptomatic of our democratic government. Regardless of the issues of decontamination of the site and clearing away the waste, the inspector has resolutely ignored concerns over environment, road traffic, schools, public services and local wildlife. And he has also ignored the concerns of Wokingham B.C. It is a complete sham. Loddon Valley Action have campaigned tirelessly against this development for years, and the committee and founder members should be thanked for the effort and personal time they have spent defending the local community against this development.

monkeyfeatures, Woodley
04/11/2009 at 15:27

No mention of new schools or health centres - Woodley & Twyford schools are full and by the time I get an appointment at the doctors I am no longer ill!

The disruption will seize up both Woodley & Twyford traffic systems which is one of the main reasons Wokingham DC refused the plans!

Its not nimbism but there are better sites, in areas which need development to replace old housing - but I guess this is not as profitable.

Robsy , Reading
04/11/2009 at 14:57

Workmen don't work at night.....workmen wont be able to work the following day should something happen overnight to where they start building.

Not that i'm suggesting anything ;-)

Chinese Steve
04/11/2009 at 14:55

well if you're going to make a mess of station hill, why not do it in woodley as well?

3 mile cross and calcot are next, mark my words.

sell your car now that's my advice cos you wont be able to get out of 1st gear soon in this weeny little town of ours.

rogerjolly, reading
04/11/2009 at 13:57

Shocking News!

I think that all of the local Action groups need to get together to support each other in these situations, but how do you get them all to talk?

garethrees, Wokingham
04/11/2009 at 13:37

Absolutely disgusting.

Kudge
04/11/2009 at 13:15

The whole thing stinks of corruption. Absolutely amazing what you can do if you throw a bit of money at someone or thing isn't it.

The decision is disgusting. What goes around comes around though....

Kudge
04/11/2009 at 13:12

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Sandford Farm homes plan approved

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