Appeal Lodged for 148 Homes Near M4 Reading Despite Council Refusal

Wates Developments wants to build 148 homes. They applied last February near M4 Junction 11, proposing houses on fields by Hayes Drive near the Reading Gospel Hall. Douglas Bond, Wates Developments’ planning agent, says the homes will be sustainable and improve the landscape. Bond added Wokingham needs affordable homes.

This project would dedicate 67 homes as affordable, about 45% of the total. The council refused the project last August. Marcia Head said the site isn’t for development, as it’s not within the council’s Local Plan. The area south of the M4 is a major development zone. Yet, these fields are outside that specific zone.

Neighbors also objected to this project early on. Karen Caruana called it “madness,” worrying about local services like schools, traffic, and potential flooding. Shona Steward said roads are already crowded, with kids struggling to attend local schools, thinking it’s becoming a mini-town.

The council’s refusal focused on the impact to trees and the rural feel of the area. Access to the homes would be from Church Lane. A nursery was already approved there in 2022. The council did not mention traffic concerns.

Wates Developments appealed the refusal to the government’s inspectorate. Bond restated that the council needs housing and argues this project is in a good spot, with the company thinking it is a high-quality plan.

You can find application 233038 on the council’s site. The appeal reference is APP/X03060/W/24/3354607. The appeal hearing starts on February 25 and will take two days to decide.