Hundreds of homes between two Berkshire villages could still go ahead

This summer, plans for 230 homes at Riverways Farm between Charvil and Twyford was rejected by Wokingham Borough Council's planning committee.

But the developer is now launching an appeal meaning the decision could be overturned by the planning inspectorate.

During discussion, councillor Stephen Conway (Liberal Democrats, Twyford, Ruscombe and Hurst) argued the development would effectively create a new settlement that would be cut off from Twyford making daily travel difficult.

Agreeing, cllr Wayne Smith (Conservative, Thames) said it had taken him 30 minutes to walk from the site to Twyford train station.

Councillors concluded that future occupants would be reliant on cars to get about.

Furthermore, the plan received 171 objections from neighbours, raising concerns about overdevelopment and the impact the project would have on sewage and schools, such as the nearby Piggott CofE secondary school.

But the project could still go ahead after all as the developer David Wilson Homes has appealed for the plan to be determined by the government's planning inspectorate.

The developers argued the project would present a range of benefits, providing a large variety of house types to suit a range of needs, improved walking and cycle connectivity to Twyford and biodiversity enhancements.

David Murray-Cox, a planning consultant, argued the development would be in an ideal location for commuters due to Twyford being on the Elizabeth Line, providing train services to and from London.

He said:  “Even before the Elizabeth Line opened Twyford was a sustainable place. But that is now reinforced with more frequent services available to a more diverse range of destinations.”

David Wilson Homes also committed to providing 40 per cent affordable housing on the site.

The council's planning officers requested that 92 homes would be affordable, made up of 14 four-bed, 18 three-bed and 28 three-bed houses, along with 14 two-bed and 18 one-bed flats.

Additionally, the developers offered to provide a new rugby ground for Rams RFC, a club that is currently based off the Old Bath Road just outside Sonning.

Developers are proposing to build 230 homes and a new rugby ground for a village in Berkshire. Credit: David Wilson Homes / Patrick Case from Pixabay / Google Maps

The development would replace the existing farmland, which is covered by polytunnels according to satellite images, with one main road entrance and exit to the site onto the New Bath Road.

The plan was submitted on outline, with the exact housing mix and details of car parking would be determined in future planning applications.

You can find the application by typing reference 223455 into the council's planning portal. You can also keep track of the progress of the appeal on the planning inspectorate website using reference APP/X0360/W/24/3350170.

The appeal was officially filed on Wednesday, August 28.