Our statement on the decision to refuse planning permission on the 21st July;
“We are extremely happy that our council have voted to unanimously refuse the planning application, which the councillors recognised was poorly conceived, poorly designed, with no regard given to green space or biodiversity and proposed in an unsustainable location which would have a massive impact on Reading residents in terms of illegal levels of air pollution, traffic congestion, access to services and loss of open green space. We would like to thank the community for objecting in such numbers to the application which ensured that the application could not be ignored. Towns and cities are defined by the quality of their open spaces, and we believe that a better future is now one step closer. We are encouraged that our proposal for Grove Arboretum would fulfill so many council policies and mark Reading as a progressive and inclusive place to live and work. This is undoubtedly not the end of the road and we will continue to work hard on behalf of the local community.”