Plans to build 260 homes on golf course ‘highly concerning’

A RECENT survey has shown that residents are highly concerned about the impact of building 260 houses on part of Reading Golf Course, writes Charlotte King.

In May, a planning application was submitted to demolish the existing clubhouse and ancillary accommodation and storage at the site.

And it was proposed that a residential area made up of market and social housing, and a new non-residential area, be built on the grounds.

Matt Rodda, MP for Reading East, has since carried out a survey to gather public opinion on the proposed development.

Mr Rodda said, “The survey clearly shows a high level of concern among people living in Caversham and Emmer Green.

“I hope the developers will consider local residents’ views and withdraw the plan.”

So far, more than 1,700 people have completed the online survey.

And initial results suggest that residents are extremely concerned about the plans to build on Reading Golf Course.

But responses from paper surveys circulated in Caversham have not yet been included in the results.

The survey asks respondents how concerned they are about the impact of the proposed development in terms of increasing traffic, affecting local services, impacting the environment, and causing disruption through building work.

In response to whether they have general concerns about the proposed development as a whole, 81% of respondents so far have said they are very concerned.

Over 80% of people are also very concerned about increased traffic, the impact upon local services, and the impact on the countryside.

Disruption caused by buildingwork is of least concern, according to the survey results, with 58% of respondents very highly concerned about it.

To find out more about the Reading Golf Course planning application, search application number 200713 on the Reading Borough Council Online Planning website.

To fill out the survey, visit: mattroddamp.com/ content/reading-golf-course