Serious concerns have been raised in Reading over plans to build more than 3,000 new homes south of the M4.
Plans are being discussed for the massive Loddon Valley Garden Village scheme, which could see 3,230 homes built in the coming years.
So far, a hybrid application for 2,800 homes at Hall Farm has been submitted, along with a separate application for 430 homes north of Mole Road outside Sindlesham.
These plans have been submitted to Wokingham Borough Council, as the land falls within its jurisdiction.
Because of the proximity of these sites to the town, Reading Borough Council has been consulted on the applications.
Reading council’s verdict on the project was discussed by its planning applications committee on Wednesday, September 9.
Planning officers Alison Amoah and Matthew Burns recommended sending objections given the huge impact the development would have on traffic in Reading.
These points were supported by councillors at the meeting.
John Ennis (Labour, Southcote), lead councillor for transport, pointed out that only 30-33 per cent of people who live in the town make internal traffic to and from work in Reading.
He said: “And yet, many councillors here will reinforce that Reading often feels like a car park.
“One of the main reasons for that is external traffic coming in through Reading.
“If they’re travelling to Reading to spend money in the town and use the resources, that’s what we want, we want to be a regional centre.
Often they are travelling to get somewhere else.
“Councillors from north Reading will know this very well from the lack of a third bridge.
“I think it’s good we are making that point.
“It’s important that we make that objection. This huge development will undoubtedly have a potential negative impact on traffic in south Reading, which we know is under pressure as it is.”
There was particular concern about the implications for the junction of the B3270 and Whitley Wood Lane, which is known as a difficult T junction to negotiate.
Cllr Andrew Hornsby-Smith (Labour, Church) said: “We know it’s very difficult to turn out of there either left or right if you are coming from the Whitley Wood Lane end.
“I note that there are proposals to have a widening of the B3270.
“We need the details of what is being proposed there, and we just don’t have that.
“Undoubtedly, if you have 3,000 homes there, it will have a big impact.”
He also expressed concern about Shinfield Road, one of the main routes into and out of the town from the south, stating that the Reading Buses number 3 service between Reading and Wokingham is often full at peak times.
Cllr Kathryn McCann (Green, Redlands) said: “This will affect my ward and where I live, I’ve [always] been quite concerned about this development.
“Obviously, the reason why Wokingham puts developments on the edge of Reading is because Reading has everything that the people want, and everyone will be coming into Reading one way or another.
“Public transport probably isn’t up to scratch, a lot of people will automatically be driving, and it will have a huge impact.”
The committee therefore agreed to object to both applications due to a lack of information about traffic, education, health and leisure impacts.
Reading council has also asked to be a party to developer legal agreement negotiations if Wokingham council approves the applications, to secure mitigation measures within Reading Borough.
You can view the applications by typing references 25249 (2,800 homes) and 252769 (430 homes) into Wokingham Borough Council’s planning portal.
