A government minister has driven a nail into the coffin for a project to build nearly 150 homes in a commuter village south of Reading.
A government minister has put a stop to plans for nearly 150 homes in a commuter village south of Reading.
Wates Developments wanted to build 148 homes on six fields north of the Reading Gospel Hall in Three Mile Cross, with 67 of these being affordable housing.
However, the project faced rejection three times, culminating in a decision from Matthew Pennycook, the housing and planning minister. Wokingham Borough Council first denied the plan last July, as the site isn't designated for development in the council's Local Plan.
Despite Wates' appeal, it was dismissed by a government planning inspector in February. Mr Pennycook then took charge of the decision himself.
The project was ultimately rejected due to concerns about safety in the event of a nuclear incident, as the site lies within the Detailed Emergency Planning Zone (DEPZ) near the Atomic Weapons Establishment in Burghfield. This zone requires extensive emergency planning, including sheltering and evacuation protocols.
Wates argued that housing needs should not be compromised by a potential nuclear accident, insisting that the required sheltering period was excessive. They proposed a shorter sheltering time of just two to six hours instead of 48.
However, planning inspector Siobhan Watson disagreed, emphasising the need to heed the advice of emergency response professionals who believe a longer sheltering period would be necessary.
Ultimately, Mr Pennycook agreed with Watson's assessment, deeming the development an 'unacceptable risk' to AWE Burghfield's operations.
For details on the application, visit the council's planning portal using reference 233038, and for the appeal, use reference APP/X03060/W/24/3354607.
The DEPZ also led to the cancellation of the Grazeley 'garden town' project, which aimed to add 15,000 homes to the area.
Mr Pennycook is the Labour MP for Greenwich and Woolwich.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
