Planning Matters

New access into the field between Lodge Road and Tape Lane. On 10 November Wokingham District Council Development Control committee refused the most recent application to move the current illegal and unauthorised access with a wooden five-bar gate away from the oak tree. The reasons for refusal are that this would mean removing more of the important hedge and damage to the street scene. Thank you to all residents who responded to the information flier we delivered and turned up at the meeting, as well as those who wrote letters to Wokingham District Council about this matter.

Unfortunately, although this application was refused, the landowner is appealing against Wokingham District Council’s refusal earlier this year of a retrospective application for the unauthorised access next to the oak tree. The appeal will be heard in Wokingham in August 2005 and the decision made sometime in the autumn. The field in question continues to be used for grazing horses, but one watchful resident spotted bore hole drilling on the field in November. This may be connected with a proposal (which has not be applied for) to split the field into plots and sell them off for housing. HVS will continue to watch for developments!

Manor Farm, Binfield Road was the subject of an application for three houses from converted barns and a new-build. HVS objected because this would be intensive development in the countryside. Wokingham District Council refused the plans, and a new application for one house has been made.

Rosevale, School Road is one of the bungalows that Millgate Homes want to destroy and replace with a three-storey house. HVS has objected to this over-bearing, massive house in a semi-rural road, and Wokingham District Council is likely to be considering this application in the next few weeks.

Houses in back gardens. The new owner of 1, Laburnums in Whistley Green has applied for a detached house on the tiny plot between 1, Laburnums and A321. HVS objected on the grounds of inappropriate infilling.

Fairbrook, Wokingham Road. HVS objected to a proposal for a large detached house in the garden south of Fairbrook and this was refused by Wokingham District Council. However a revised plan has since been approved.