Planning Issues

Sandford Farm

Clr Annette Drake reports that she and Wokingham DC have heard nothing from Hicks-Persimmon following the council’s request to the developers in November for more information in a new Environment Statement. The council will not consider the planning and minerals applications until the Environment Statement has been consulted with English Nature, the Environment Agency, other specialists and local people.

School Road

Millgate Homes’ plans for four houses (two semis and two large detached) behind Mufulira and Rose Vale will be considered by Wokingham District Council Development Control Committee. The application is dated October 2003, but is on a recent list which can be viewed at www.hvs.org.uk following the link to Planning.

Parish Planning Guidance

The third draft of the Parish Planning Guidance was submitted to Wokingham DC just as this newsletter went to press, writes Howard Larkin. Preliminary comments by WDC have been taken on board in this third draft. The Parish Council has now formally asked for guidance to be adopted. It is far too early to judge what WDC’s response will be, but there is a view that we should “publish and be damned”. We would obviously prefer that the guidance be properly adopted as that gives some small power or status. We will report on WDC’s reaction in the next HVS newsletter. Once again, we ask you to “watch this space” and be patient. We’ll get there eventually!

Tape Lane

Estate agents Martin and Pole are auctioning the land between Lodge Road and Tape Lane, which is currently used for horse and pony grazing. The auction is expected to take place towards the end of March, and it is likely that the land will be sold in two parts or as a whole. The current owner intends to retain a large plot fronting Tape Lane next to “Meadows” in case it is required for social housing in future. HVS has drawn Clr Annette Drake’s attention to the new gateway and gate into the field next to an old and protected oak tree. Apparently the “apron” to the gate does need planning permission. Write to the WDC Development Control Manager, Trevor Watson, at Shute End to let him know your views.