DEVELOPERS behind a huge new housing plan in Tilehurst have said that the council has "never before seen so much support" in a major residential application.
But the proposals, which will see 265 homes and a GP surgery built on a patch of green space off Pincents Lane, have also seen a lot of opposition - including 1,600 objections.
READ MORE: 1,600 objections to plans for 265 new Tilehurst homes
According to the plans, it also wants to create a nine hectare public park and plant enough trees to create a 20-metre wide ‘woodland buffer’ between Tilehurst and the new housing estate.
The project has proved to be extremely controversial, as West Berkshire Council has received 1,621 objections and 235 letters of support.
Area of Pincents Hill
Develops said that West Berkshire Council has never before seen so many residents write in support of an application.
Jonny Anstead, TOWN Company Director said: "Having over 200 residents write in support is a welcome endorsement of our plans and highly unusual for any major application in West Berkshire.
"It shows that we have listened and responded to public feedback.
"We have reduced the number of homes by 65 per cent from 750 under earlier proposals down to 265, thereby reducing the overall density by 25 per cent to 36 per net hectare.
"This has enabled us to give over more than half of the site, 22 acres new Public Park.
"Public access, currently limited to rights of ways across the site, will be opened up massively.
"In addition this new Public Park will be gifted to the community and safeguarded against future development forever.
“Our plans will give residents access to homes that meet their needs, with the huge benefit of being able to stay in Tilehurst close to family and friends.
"We will deliver 106 affordable homes with a mix of shared ownership and below market rent properties, as well as 30 homes designed for older people as well as self and custom-build homes.
"Our plans incorporate a new healthcare hub which will be offered to the NHS locally in the first instance.”
A map of the site, just off Pincents Lane in Tilehurst, where developers want to build 265 homes
West Berkshire Council has been re-consulting the public on U+I and TOWN’s updated plans for Pincents Lane.
One resident from Calcot said: "I work for the NHS – I don’t drive and I am in need of affordable housing.
"Currently rent prices are almost unaffordable; this seems like a great way to use land efficiently", while 'Ms M', from Tilehurst, said: "I work for a school and have two children.
"I’m a single parent of two teenagers.
"The mixture of homes that are planned for Pincents Lane would enable me to get my foot on the housing ladder."
However, others have strongly opposed the plans, with a petition launched to stop them from going ahead.
One recently said: "This is a much-loved recreational area in a part of the greater Reading area which has been losing its green spaces bit by bit over the last 20 plus years.
"Moreover, footpaths will be affected, trees lost, with the consequent loss of wildlife.
"In this increasingly built up area, we need space to walk and relax."
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