Homes to be built on Watership Down land

PLANS for 1,000 new homes on farmland that inspired Watership Down have been given the green light despite major opposition, including from its author before his death.

Ministers have ruled the planned the major housing development on Sandleford Park, which featured in the iconic children’s book, can go ahead.

Campaigners say the decision means the scenes in the literary classic, where rabbits flee Sandleford Warren before it is destroyed by bulldozers, will become a reality.

The decision comes despite its condemnation by both West Berkshire District Council and the book’s author, Richard Adams, before his death five years ago.

Bloor Homes and Sandleford Homes Partnership have been trying to build on Sandleford Park since it was allocated for development in 2012.

Protesters have been fighting the development and said protected habitats and ancient woodlands would be surrounded by a “wall of concrete” by the proposals.

The developers say there will be a 15m buffer between developed areas and woodlands. The development includes up to 1,000 new homes, 80 extra-care housing units and a primary school.