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MP’S PLEA TO SAVE HISTORIC SITE
PLANS: An artist’s impression of the proposed Twyford scheme Picture: LDRS Twyford housing development and care home plans on hold
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PLANS for a new housing development and dementia care home in Twyford have been postponed.
The proposal for Twyford Road included 130 homes, of which 35% would be affordable housing, and a 70-bed care home designed for dementia patients.
Following a council planning meeting on Wednesday, May 11, councillors opted for a site visit to determine the viability of the proposal after disagreements meant a decision could not be reached.
Objections were raised regarding safe access, noise levels, transport links and the risk of flooding.
The site is in a location reserved for employment and businesses, as outlined in the approved local plan.
However, work is currently underway on an updated local plan and, since there hasn’t been any interest in using the land for commercial purposes, planning officers are supporting residential development.
The proposal has received objections from both residents and councillors who feel that the site is not appropriate for either houses or a care home.
Cllr Gary Cowen, Independent representative for Arborfield, said: “How can we move away from an approved local plan to an unapproved local plan and say the unapproved plan trumps the local plan, it doesn’t.”
Noise assessments indicated it
would exceed recommended levels in some areas and many dwellings would require triple glazing windows, as well as keeping them shut, to not be impacted. The access point being situated at an area of reduced visibility on a fast road and a lack of nearby transport links were some of the other concerns raised by the committee. Cllr Rachel Bishop-Firth, Liberal Democrat for Emmbrook South, said: “We need more social housing and affordable homes in the borough, and I agree that we need more care home beds to meet the needs of our ageing population. “But these must be put in suitable locations and Toutley East is not. “This is a proposal to use a noisy piece of land, very close to the motorway and on an industrial depot to house those who have the least choice on where they live, those on lower incomes and those needing old age care.” The site is also bordered by the A329M to the north and a tributary of the Emm Brook to the south, which has raised concerns about possible flooding. Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, Conservative for Hillside, made the formal proposal to request a site visit in order to “have a really good look at the surroundings.” She added: “I’m concerned that the site is a bit isolated.” The plan will now be voted on after the visit has taken place. Two charged over death of man near petrol station
TWO men have been charged in connection with an investigation into the death of a man in Lower Earley last year.
Sabeur Trabelsi, aged 43, of Kings Road, Reading, has been charged with one count each of manslaughter and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Elliott Cripps, aged 27, of Ashbourne Crescent, Taunton, has been charged with one count of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
It is in connection with an incident outside the BP petrol station in Chalfont Way on Wednesday, March 31, last year, in which 51-year-old Jason Page sadly died.
Both men have been bailed to appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, June 15.
Decision on historic building’s future deferred
By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@rdg.today
A DECISION to defer rebuilding a historic building in Woodley has been welcomed by Reading East MP Matt Rodda.
Last Wednesday, a meeting of Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee met to discuss plans to demolish the Miles building on Headley Road East.
Under the proposal, five commercial buildings for light industrial work and storage, as well as offices, car parking and a new access road would be built.
The art deco site is one of the last remaining buildings from Woodley’s airfield days and has many historic links.
Mr Rodda said he is “pleased” the application has been deferred after he sent a letter to the chair of the planning committee prior to the meeting.
In the letter he said: “This is an important issue and I and many constituents would like the historic art deco building to be preserved, many are also concerned about the risk of increased traffic, noise and air pollution.
Cllr Shirley Boyt has been actively campaigning for the building to be protected.
She said that she was relieved to learn a decision has been deferred.
“It’s going to be shortlived relief because it will be up again at the planning committee pretty imminently,” she said.
“One of the aspects for the deferral was looking at other ways that the building could be saved and utilised within the scheme that’s proposed.
She said the plans include 20 new HGV loading bays.
“One would assume that the applicants are expecting quite a few, but they did no modelling on that, and we picked that up.
A petition to save the site from being demolished received more than 4,500 signatures with many residents calling for it to be repurposed to maintain its features.
Cllr Boyt said: “The building could be upgraded internally to modern standards and used for any number of commercial purposes, and it is disappointing that the applicant lacks the imagination to do this and would rather replace it with a soulless, tin shed.”
The officer report said there had been “extensive discussions regarding environmental health impacts but ultimately it is considered that, subject to conditions, no detrimental impact would occur in terms of noise, air pollution or contamination”.
Cllr Boyt was not convinced that “extensive” research had taken place.
She said: “Were notes taken during these discussions? Is there an email trail? Did the recent Venta Acoustic and TRL particulate reports figure in these discussions? Where is the evidence which led to this conclusion?”
Following the deferral, the issues raised by councillors and residents will be discussed. The findings will then be put forward at another planning meeting later this year. n Matt Rodda’s letter can be seen at www.mattrodda.net
CAMPAIGN: Reading East MP Matt Rodda backs calls to find an alternative solution to protect the AdWest building in Woodley
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