Valentine’s date for decision on homes for former Hurst Show field
OBJECTORS to 23 new homes on the green field formerly used for Hurst Show are set for an unromantic St Valentine’s Night, writes Sue Corcoran.
A large contingent of the people who wrote 378 emails and other messages objecting to the homes are expected at Wokingham Borough’s planning meeting on Wednesday, February 14.
To their disappointment, the council officer’s report for the planning committee recommends the scheme should be approved subject to conditions. The committee could overturn this and refuse permission.
There were 17 emails or other messages from supporters of the homes suggested for School Road, Hurst between the village hall and St Nicholas Primary.
The report to the committee says the site is outside of but next to the settlement [development] limits of Hurst. The site would relate well to the existing settlement pattern of Hurst, filling in a gap between the school and the hall.
It admits there would be some harm because of the loss of the field and the setting the field provides to the settlement and an area of special character. But it says the impact would be localised.
The development’s site was a logical extension of Hurst and would be next to existing homes and community land. The report says the adverse effects of the scheme did not significantly outweigh its benefits.
An objector to the new homes said the recommendation went “completely against what the community wants. I’m sure we will be expecting a large contingent of residents at the meeting.
“I’m disappointed approval [of the scheme] is being suggested when the proposal is against a lot of policies which they [Wokingham Borough Council] have recently included in their objections to other development in the village.” Recently historically they [Wokingham] had been the first to argue Hurst was not a sustainable location.
Supporters of the scheme have pointed out it includes affordable housing and would allow a diverse range of people to live in the village.
One person said: “Buying in Hurst is near impossible and the development would allow families like mine to buy in the village.”
It was also said that the number of homes proposed could easily integrate into local services, that a small number of homes was being proposed, and that the scheme would help sustain local facilities and clubs.
Objectors attending are allowed a total of three minutes to speak to the committee.
They can share the three minutes. The parish council which objected and the applicant for permission each have three minutes.