PLANS to turn an Emmer Green golf course into a new 223-home estate have been approved.
Last night, members of Reading Borough Council’s planning committee voted in favour of the scheme, despite fierce opposition, including a protest outside the council’s offices before the meeting.
The site at Reading Golf Club has been subject to multiple planning applications with a previous application for 257 homes refused after more than 3,000 objections.
Cllr Karen Rowland, lead councillor for culture, heritage and recreation, said: “I take good heart that there is affordable housing which is going to help families who really need these properties.
“The opportunity for real affordable housing, and not as flats, is really an incredible thing that we can’t overlook.”
Cllr Rowland did express “extreme concern” over the climate change impact and the effects on biodiversity at the site but “on balance” voted in favour of the plans.
Proposals show 67 affordable homes in total with 12 four-bedroom homes, four three-bedroom homes available through shared ownership and 13 properties available through social rent.
More than 200 people from Keep Emmer Green (KEG) attended the council offices before the meeting to protest the application.
A spokesperson for KEG said on social media: “Our local councillors were aware the planning meeting was predetermined so have already requested that the application is called in by the Secretary of State for housing.
“We will be working with local community groups, and our local councillors, to get this application subjected to proper scrutiny which was sadly lacking this evening.”
Nine councillors voted in favour, three were against and one abstained.
