Opposing sides dig in over warehouse plans
Project to build huge complex near Membury Airfield leads to a war of words
BOTH sides are now firmly entrenched in a battle over plans to build a 10,000 sq m warehouse and office complex in a ‘greenfield’ beauty spot.
At stake is the project by Walker Logistics to create a new warehouse building with ancillary office floorspace, an aircraft museum building and associated access, car parking and landscaping on 5.5 hectares adjacent to the disused Membury Airfield.
Company chairman Philip Walker has threatened to relocate from West Berkshire completely if permission is refused and said he would reluctantly have to make the site available “most likely to a high volume transport/haulage company”.
The application has now been backed by 27 letters of support, including a petition in favour containing 61 signatures.
Arrayed against that are 60 letters of objection, including one from Lambourn Parish Council which states the proposed development is “unacceptable in an AONB [Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty]”.
The council’s own highways development control team leader, Paul Goddard, has stated: “I conclude that no objection is raised by the highway authority on traffic grounds.
“However, objection could be raised by the highway authority on sustainability grounds.
“It has been policy of the highways development control for some time to try and resist expansion of the Membury Industrial Estate due to how unsustainable the location is.
“It could be considered that if the climate emergency is to be taken seriously then this proposal should be resisted.”
Recently, the Woodlanders Action Group, established to fight the proposals, has written to West Berkshire planners querying a new suggestion by Walker Logistics that the project could create up to 200 new jobs.
Critics claim, in objection letters, that these workers will mainly be bussed in from Reading and Swindon.
This is disputed by the company, which insists it recruits from areas “including Lambourn, Baydon, East Garston, Aldbourne, Hungerford, Swindon, Newbury and Reading”.
The action group has also retained the services of planning and transport consultant Vectos, which has concluded, in a letter to planners: “In summary, it is considered that the proposals are contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework and on this basis, it is my view that the development should be refused on highway grounds.”
However in a letter to planners, Mr Walker states: “It’s clear to me from reading these objection letters that large elements of the application, and indeed the operating nature of Walker Logistics as a business, are being misunderstood.
“I would go so far as to say we are being accused of problems and issues that already exist to which we don’t contribute and, indeed, have gone to lengths to rectify.”
He goes on to cite the contribution the company makes to many Lambourn Valley good causes, including the Lambourn Carnival.
The application has generated more than 10 objections and so will automatically be ‘called in’ for a decision by elected councillors sitting on West Berkshire Council’s western area planning committee.
It can be viewed in full by visiting the planning section of West Berkshire Council’s website and using the reference 19/02979/OUTMAJ.