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An artists' impression of the Bulmershe campus site
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Protests over Bulmershe plan fall on deaf ears

October 11, 2012

Calls to reject plans for almost 300 homes at Bulmershe campus which will erode an ‘important green lung’ between Woodley and Earley fell on deaf ears.

The University of Reading was granted permission to redevelop empty academic buildings and convert six student halls into 287 homes, including a care home, by Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee last Wednesday despite ward councillors’ strong objections.Calls to reject plans for almost 300 homes at Bulmershe campus which will erode an ‘important green lung’ between Woodley and Earley fell on deaf ears.

The homes will ‘eat into’ around 10 per cent of a Site of Urban Landscape Value (SULV) – separating Woodley and Earley, and fears were also raised about the site’s density, future school places, the area’s water supply and traffic.

In a statement to the committee meeting Southlake Cllr Kay Gilder said: “This development wants an infringement larger than a football pitch and shouldn’t be allowed.

“While I accept housing is probably the best use for this site, I feel any development should be to the footprint of the existing development.”

Neil Rowley of Savills, for the university, said: “Now is a hard time for the higher education sector and this [sale and development] allows us to follow teaching and research more effectively.

“We recognise it impacts a SULV and we take that seriously. The area is clearly separated by a thick tree line and part is already a floodlit car park.”

Committee member Cllr Lindsay Ferris warned losing the gap would blur the identity between the towns and tried to defer the proposal, drawing applause from the floor, but his move was not seconded.

The committee approved the application for the 17-hectare site by six votes to one, subject to a developer contributions agreement (Section 106) and it being referred to the National Planning Casework Unit to consider whether it wants to call in the plans.

The proposals include a sports pavilion and enhanced playing fields which are to be made available to the public for around 50 hours a month.

Bulmershe and Whitegates Cllr Sam Rahmouni added: “Residents are very worried about the number of cars this proposal will generate. Those of us who live in the area know how much congestion there is already.”

Council officer Alan Greenwood insisted he believed traffic levels would be reduced significantly.

After the meeting university vice chancellor David Bell said: “We are delighted Wokingham Borough Council has given the go-ahead for a high quality development on the site.

“This decision paves the way for the previously developed area to be regenerated with much needed new housing, while securing and improving the playing fields for university and community sports use.”

Phil Challis, Lib Dem chairman of Woodley Town Council’s leisure committee, added: “Sports England objected on principle to the university building on a playing field.

“However it would appear that Wokingham borough do not share the same values and are prepared to see houses built on playing fields even though the land was protected by their own SULV policy. What an Olympic legacy!”

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Most recent user comments 10 of 10

I should have made myself clearer. If you go back about twenty years the farm land between Wokingham and Bracknell was regarded as a sacrosanct green belt. Even its use as a football field was turned down by Wokingham Council.

In the intervening period more and more housing has been allowed in this area and the latest Buckhurst Farm development vitually completes the joining of Bracknell and Wokingham.

The green area seperating Woodley and Earley is now about to suffer the same fate. Wokingham Council does not recognise the needs of its residents for local green space, We are rapidly reaching the stage where there is more public open space in the centre of London than in Wokingham.

PoneRana, Wokingham
15/10/2012 at 14:13

Councillor Baker is usually so vocal on any issue. But suddenly he goes so quiet. Previously I asked that for once he set aside political dogma and represent the views of his constituents but alas he doesn't have the respect for us. I sent him plans for a new road across to the A3290 to relieve the traffic problems of Woodlands Avenue and Church Road but he ignored it. And saying traffic will decline is humbug and an indication of WBCs professional competence. Next they will be telling us cancelling free garden waste collection has increased recycling. Truly con-merchants all of them.

Bingley, Woodley
14/10/2012 at 13:00

This is another typical example of WBC passing the buck onto the infrastructure in Reading. Wokingham get the council tax benefits and Reading gets the congestion and problems associated with it. The M4 has become a natural boundary between Wokingham and Reading. It is time the political boundaries were changed to match.

As for the University's Vice Chancellor saying he is delighted. Of course he is he can see the pound signs jingling away in front of his very eyes.

It is well to remember that political consultation actually means, 'We are going to tell you what we have already decided but you can come and hear it in person'.

parlovero, reading
14/10/2012 at 12:06

Phil, I think Pone was talking about the 'urban sprawl' - building houses on the only remaining gaps between Wokingham and Bracknell until the two basically become one combined mess of housing and concrete. No extra schools, hospitals, policemen etc. of course.!

Damiano_Tommassi, Wokingham
12/10/2012 at 15:55

Ponerana - What have you heard? - If Wokingham Borough is really merging with Bracknell Forest Council then I have heard peopple say that Bracknell Forest Council is quite good - is it true?

Phil Challis, woodley
12/10/2012 at 15:50

Me-here --> At the WBC Planning Committee meeting we attended the planning officer said that there would much less cars on the road, in fact he said there would be 400 less car movements between 8 and 9am. We all laughed out loud - but it isn't funny!

Phil Challis, woodley
12/10/2012 at 15:46

PoneRana, by 'Wokingham' I take it you mean 'that shower that run and ruin it in spite of the wishes of the people of Wokingham'? :)

Damiano_Tommassi, Wokingham
12/10/2012 at 14:25

If Wokingham is unwilling to prevent its merger with Bracknell, it is unlikely to stop the merger of Woodley and Earley

PoneRana, Wokingham
12/10/2012 at 14:05

What a nightmare Woodlands Avenue will be now. It is bad enough at the moment to try and get out of Woodley even at 7.30 in the morning. Woodley just doesn't have the infrastructure for another 300 homes.

Me-Here, Woodley
12/10/2012 at 13:25

This should not be allowed! It's disgraceful. The traffic is already bad and where are the jobs to support the people in these houses coming from and not forgetting the amount they have to give to the council for council housing. It will add pressure to doctors, schools an roads. Woodley is bad enough to get out of anyway. No one is going to feel safe walking their dogs in the woods now.