CAMPAIGNERS trying to prevent a golf course being turned into a housing estate have vowed to fight on.
Earlier this year, Reading Borough Council’s planning committee approved a plan to build 223 homes on the former Reading Golf Club in Emmer Green. This led to developers Fairfax and the club withdrawing an appeal with the Government’s planning inspectorate for a larger number – 257 dwellings.
Members of the Keep Emmer Green campaign are determined to fight on, saying they will launch their own appeal.
A spokesperson said: “This is still a very bitter subject for us, the whole thing is a travesty. We will be taking the matter to the Local Government Ombudsman.
“The council have not followed their own processes. I can’t understand how an experienced planning officer can recommend it being rejected the first time, for a second plan with minor adjustments to be recommended for approval.
“Why was there such a sudden U-turn? We think the second officer’s report was a whitewash.”
The original plan, for 257 homes, was recommended for refusal by planning officers in 2021. The second, for 223 homes, was recommended for approval by planning officers prior to the March planning committee meeting.
The KEG spokesperson said the council would benefit from millions in developer contributions, including £557,500 of investment in open space and leisure facilities in Emmer Green, and £550,000 of investment in local healthcare facilities.
The group’s appeal to the ombudsman is because they believe the council broke procedures when approving the revised plan. A complaint has already been made to the local authority.
Responding, a council spokesperson said that its monitoring officer conducted a thorough investigation after receiving the complaint.
“The monitoring officer concluded that the determination of the planning application fully conformed to all legal and constitutional requirements and no malpractice by councillors or officers was identified in either presenting the committee report or reaching a decision,” they said.
The approval achieved this March was on outline, with the appearance of the development being submitted in a future Reserved Matter application.
Another member of KEG stated that the campaign will now focus on the Reserved Matters application and the numerous conditions which have to be met before the plan can proceed.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service invited the developers Fairfax and its planning agents Pegasus Group to comment, but they had not done so as we went to press.
