Boundary Dispute Erupts Over Housing Developments

Boundary rows have erupted between West Berkshire Council and Basingstoke and Deane over housing planned just over the Hampshire border.

West Berkshire has warned it will block future allocations beside its boundary by Basingstoke and Deane unless it gets some of the development cash and "proportionate, deliverable and secured mitigation" for impacts inside West Berkshire.

The fight was sparked by plans for 350 homes at Mortimer's West End Farm in Hampshire, just over the border. That scheme could add about 800 residents to the village and, councillors say, would rely heavily on West Berkshire for roads, schools and other services.

"In practice it would rely heavily on West Berkshire," said Nick Carter (Lib Dem, Burghfield and Mortimer), who tabled the motion. "It's not about funding, but if necessary infrastructure can be sustained and delivered.

"Community Infrastructure Levy receipts would remain in Hampshire - there is no costed evidence to show how West Berkshire could benefit."

Councillors raised parking and rail station pressure, and residents asked why the site was picked, saying it "relies on proximity to Mortimer".

Water supply problems have added to the Local Plan uncertainty: a water cycle study and consultations showed South East Water cannot currently guarantee supply for planned new homes.

Without a Local Plan, authorities risk speculative applications. Both councils now have to start new Local Plans over the next 30 months. West Berkshire already has a five-year housing supply version of a Local Plan, but the Government has increased its housing target to 1,071 a year.

Mortimer in West Berkshire has a village masterplan, and the council noted the Hampshire site would "function in practice as an extension of Stratfield Mortimer" and depend on West Berkshire infrastructure.

The council said there is no clear, funded mechanism showing how cross-boundary impacts would be mitigated, though it described engagement with Basingstoke and Deane as "positive". It insisted any adjacent development must be infrastructure-led and supported by robust, proportionate and transparent evidence.

Patrick Clark (Lib Dem, Wash Common) warned: "Oakley Farm has been identified as a place for new homes in Hampshire, but the impact on services on West Berkshire will not be compensated."

Phil Barnett (Lib Dem, Greenham) added: "All these new houses will put pressure on A339 and Newbury's services. Newbury is where these new residents will go to - not Basingstoke. It will get worse, and we need to look very closely at what they are doing. They are not interested in the affect on us, but on getting their housing numbers met."

Conservative Richard Somner (Tilehurst South and Holybrook) urged quicker action: "I can't believe we are not having these conversations already. I am in the exact same conversation with Reading, who say you live in Calcot and you get on our buses. Just do it please as everyone around the border will be having the same thought."

Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter