The 18th of March was the last day for submitting objections to Reading Borough Council regarding the planning application to build 257 houses on Reading Golf Course.
We can confirm that the council have now received over 3000 objections to the application, well in excess of the 2000 they received for the previous application. This sends an absolutely unequivocal message to the council, and the developers, and we would like to say a big thank you to everyone who submitted their objection.
For a second time, this is the greatest number of objections to a single planning application that Reading Borough Council have ever received!
Exact numbers are 3065 objections and 213 in support. Where it was clear that it was a message of objection/ support and was listed as an observation then we are counting those as objections/ support rather than as an observation.
What happens next?
We anticipate the earliest that the RBC Planning Committee will sit to consider the planning application will be the end of April 2021 when we hope, and expect that they will vote to refuse the application.
If they do, our expectation is that the applicant will appeal against the refusal to grant planning permission and at that point we may need to seek professional advice on planning and legal matters.
What are the other possibilities?
The developer could withdraw their application once again or they could make modifications to it. Major modifications would have to go to public consultation once again.
Alternatively, despite the overwhelming public opposition, the council could accept the proposal. In that case our options would be limited and we would then seek legal advice and possibly representation.
What are we doing now?
When we get confirmation of the date that the application will be considered, we will let you know. In the meantime, this is not the end of the fight. We will continue to gather evidence to support our opposition to the development in readiness, should the application go to appeal.
Campaign Finances
Our JustGiving crowdfunding campaign to cover ongoing expenses continues to run. Thanks to your generosity we have now reached 85% of our target! If you have made a donation, thank you so much. If you would like to make a contribution at this stage it would be most helpful. Please click on the link below to go to our JustGiving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/keg02
If we have to fight an appeal in the future we will need legal advice and probably engage the services of a barrister. This is likely to be a costly process and if necessary, we will make another appeal for contributions nearer the time.
Planning application for apartments in Gravel Hill near Bugs Bottom
A planning application P21/S0897/ND1 has been lodged with South Oxfordshire District Council for two blocks of three storey flats in Gravel Hill, adjacent to the golf course near the Oxfordshire exit of Bugs Bottom.
This area has been declared as an area of valued landscape by the Kidmore End Neighbourhood development plan and the proposed development would be entirely out of character with the local area.
We would recommend local residents who walk at Bugs Bottom to object to this proposal due to it being completely out of character with neighbouring buildings, with landscape and views in the same setting as the nearby Area of Natural Beauty.
Closing date for objection is 10th April 2021 so please submit your objection as soon as possible via the following link to SODC planning website:
https://data.southoxon.gov.uk/ccm/support/Main.jsp?MODULE=ApplicationDetails&REF=P21/S0897/ND1
Thank you Clare Grashoff
As you may know, Clare Grashoff has decided to stand down from her position as our Councillor for Peppard Ward at the upcoming local elections to pursue a teaching career.
We would like to extend our warmest thanks to Clare for all the magnificent work that she has done as Councillor for our community over the past six years.
Click Here if you would like to read Clare’s statement
Thank you again for your support and if you have any comments, questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.