Barkham Ride homes plans approved

WOKINGHAM Borough Council has approved plans for 56 homes on Barkham Ride in Finchampstead, despite claims that children and the elderly are at risk on a ‘nightmare’ road, writes Nick Clark, local democracy reporter.

Property developer Elivia Homes’s plans to build a new estate at 33 Barkham Ride have been approved but Hugh Reid, who lives opposite the site, said high volumes of speeding traffic meant the country road is ‘already a nightmare.’

He told councillors: “Many of us have had near misses driving out into busy traffic.

“This situation also poses significant dangers to any Bohunt school children and elderly walkers crossing Barkham Ride.”

He added: “Cycling is there for the brave or foolish and is mostly avoided.

“In fact our grandchildren are actually banned from cycling to visit us.”

Council highways officers said the new development would only increase the volume of traffic by 2%. They said this would be ‘light traffic associated with residential development.’

Barkham Ride residents also asked the council to consider the impact of several other proposed developments – including another of 26 homes at 31

Barkham Ride.

But council planning officers said as these hadn’t been approved, they couldn’t be taken into account.

They said they did consider the cumulative impact of all the developments, and confirmed the development at 33 Barkham Ride would become a ‘material consideration’ affecting other planning proposals in the area.

The plans were approved at Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee on Wednesday, March 13.