A plan to get 49 homes built near a church and sports clubs in a rural area of Berkshire has been rejected by a government-appointed planning inspector.
A plan to build 49 homes near St Sebastian's Church in Berkshire has been rejected by a government planning inspector.
Maverick Properties aimed to develop unused land behind the church, next to Crowthorne and Crown Wood Cricket Club and Crowthorne Tennis Club. The project proposed 29 market homes and 20 affordable units, making up 41% of the development.
However, Wokingham Borough Council's planning department denied the application, citing that the site is not designated for development in its Local Plan. A planning officer stated that the project would harm the landscape and character of the area by replacing open green fields with large-scale urban development.
Despite an appeal to the government planning inspectorate, where David Prentis recognised the benefits of affordable housing, he ultimately ruled against the project, stating it conflicted with local development patterns. He noted the location was poorly situated and would negatively impact the valued landscape.
The appeal was dismissed on September 24, with councillor Marc Brunel-Walker praising the community effort in opposing the development. Residents can view the application and appeal references online for more details.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
