A planning agent has attempted to address fears for the habitats of wildlife near well-used allotments amid development in Reading.

Recently, activists have been attempting to block contractors for a developer accessing two pieces of woodland earmarked for housing.

However, contractors were able to get to the site last Friday, with work to begin today (Monday, September 26).

The protest has taken place as neighbours fear habitats for wildlife in woods between Kentwood Hill and Armour Hill in Tilehurst could be destroyed to clear the way for two housing developments.

The woodland has been identified for development in the Reading Local Plan, with land at Kentwood Hill identified for 41-62 homes and 12-18 being envisaged for Armour Hill.

Both pieces of land are owned by Tilehurst Poors Land Charity, which has chosen housebuilders Ridgepoint Homes as its ‘preferred development partner’.

Reading Chronicle: The two pieces of land that could be built on, Kentwood Hill outlined in orange, and Armour Hill outlined in Green. Credit: Ordnance Survey / Chaneys Chartered Surveyors The two pieces of land that could be built on, Kentwood Hill outlined in orange, and Armour Hill outlined in Green. Credit: Ordnance Survey / Chaneys Chartered Surveyors

Chaneys chartered surveyors has been selected as a point of contact for the proposed development.

Richard Duncan, the owner of Chaneys,  answered a series of questions in a closed presentation.

One key question he answered is what is happening on the site right now.

Mr Duncan explained that a blanket tree preservation order (TPO) has been placed on trees in the woodland, which limits the activity the contractors can do.

He said: “Working with Reading Borough Council, we have to go onto the site, and we have to identify all those tree species that need to be protected.

“I have indicated that in time we do intend to submit a full planning application.

“In order to do that there are some very important pieces of information that we need to know.

“We need to get a really good understanding of what is on and living on the site, the lay of the land etc.

“The reality is that further investigations are needed.”

Earlier, he said the work would be minimal.

READ MORE: Fears raised Tilehurst development could endanger allotments

As well as surveying, work will involve partly removing some areas of non-tree ground vegetation.

Mr Duncan said: “Right now the site is heavily overgrown. It is difficult to access, it’s very difficult for us to walk into the centre of the site and get a true feeling of what’s living there.

“So we do need to clear some areas of scrub and bramble.”

You can view the presentation on the Chaneys website. 

Reading Chronicle: The car park to the Tilehurst Allotments. Users and activists are blocking the entry to a prospective homes site with their cars. Credit: UGCThe car park to the Tilehurst Allotments. Users and activists are blocking the entry to a prospective homes site with their cars. Credit: UGC

There are still concerns about animals such as badgers losing their habitat as a result of the works.

Jill Hoblin of the Binfield Badgers Group, which protects the animals across Berkshire, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) her group visited the site yesterday (Sunday, September 25).

The group claim to have conducted a survey, confirming a ‘very large active sett’ and evidence of badger activity in the woodland.

In a reply seen by the LDRS, Lynda Newbold, senior ecologist at Aspect Ecology asked for a grid reference or rough location of the badger sett on site so that ecologists could identify them in their own survey.

It is understood that Aspect has been contracted to conduct an ecology survey, work which has been approved by Reading Borough Council.