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Reading University wins Shinfield planning appeals

November 15, 2012

The Secretary of State has made a final decision to grant appeals to The University of Reading over plans to build 1,350 homes, a primary school and a supermarket in Shinfield.

Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, made the announcement on Friday.

Secretary of State approves 1,350 homes in Shinfield

The three appeals include plans for a community building, sports pavilion and open space, a relief road to Shinfield and an M4 bridge.

David Savage, the University of Reading chief operating officer, said: “We are delighted with the decision.

“During the course of the public inquiry last autumn, and throughout the lengthy application process, the university put forward a robust case and established significant areas of common ground with Wokingham Borough Council.”

But the council has not welcomed the news.

Councillor Keith Baker, executive member for highways and planning, said: “We are tremendously disappointed the Secretary of State has decided to rule in favour of the university and ride roughshod over residents views.

“There are two significant outcomes that are absolutely contrary to what residents have told us through the extensive consultation exercise.”

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The university, and in particular its Vice Chancellor Sir David Bell, make much of their being a part of the community. Sadly, I think we could all be forgiven for thinking that the university's idea of being part of the community is the commercial exploitation, and concreting over of large areas of it. Being part of the community doesn't seem to including listening to and respecting the views of the people in it unfortunately.

It makes Reading University look like the sort of neighbour you'd rather not have. Who knows what they'll come up with next?

As for so-called localism as promised by our much-loved government, this was always going to be swept away in the interests of huge PLCs determined to cover our green spaces with vast stretches of tightly packed rabbit hutches.

Still, mustn't be 'nimbies' must we? Someone will be along shortly to fling that epithet, no doubt.

RJM, Shinfield
16/11/2012 at 14:06

Localism - just another flippant comment by David Cameron.

Phil Challis, woodley
15/11/2012 at 19:01

Eric Pickles, June 20120: "I want to give an indication of my three most important priorities. These are: localism, localism and localism. I will make sure that localism is not something conveniently put away in a box, but wrapped up in the very DNA of the department. I am determined - as I know many in local government are - to shift power away from central government and pass it to local people and community groups. It is all about empowering the citizens to act collectively on local issues."

Eric Pickles, July 2012: "This Government is devolving significant new powers to local councils – over housing, planning, licensing and public health, as well as a new general power of competence. "

Eric Pickles, Nov 2012: "Sod localism, I know best, you will obey my top-down diktat"