Berkshire, Hampshire and Oxford have all been on the receiving end of planning applications in August/September. This means that a total of 570 new homes could be constructed in the South West over the coming months and years.
All of the applications are either at the Outline Planning stage or ready for Planning Approval. Only the controversial Berkshire application, which involves chopping down Ancient Woodland, could be under doubt in its current form.
Ancient woodland under threat in Berkshire
West Berkshire Council received the plans for up to 100 houses to be constructed at Burghfield Common, which would involve having to cut down trees which have sat there for centuries.
The land is owned by the sitting Newbury MP Richard Benyon and lies on the Englefield Estate. The 4.24-hectare site is host to hundreds of trees – some of which would certainly have to be destroyed in order to build a pathway and cycle path to the estate (this was at the insistent of Planning officials who wanted better entry to the site). The two ancient woodlands in question are named Clayhill Copse and Pondhouse Copse.
Of the 100 homes to be built on the land, 40 of these will be ‘affordable’ – 28 of which are to come under the social rent banner and 12 available for the government’s shared equity scheme.
In a report to the Planning Committee Michael Butler, the council’s principal planning officer, said: “It is clear that this application, if approved, [will cause] some degree of harm to the local area.
“This visual harm is outweighed, however, by the need for additional housing.”
The MP – who is not planning to stand for re-election – will learn if Outline Planning Permission has been granted at a meeting of the council later this month.
Up to 300 new homes for Hampshire
Hampshire is to get 300 new homes, community facilities and a new primary school in the near future, it has recently been announced. The new development will be created on a 56.8-acre site which sits close to Razors Farm (where another 425 homes are under construction in nearby Bramley). Hampshire International Business Park also sits nearby.
The most recent residential development for the 300 residential properties is by Croudace Homes, who are considering a proposal to make 40 per cent of the development ‘affordable’ homes.
Oxford to get 170 new homes
Approval looks set to be received for two separate housing developments in the city of Oxford, it has been revealed this month. Totalling 170 apartments, 140 of these New Builds are to be constructed at the Gibbs Crescent area, fronting Mill Stream. The second development is smaller and will be at Simon House, 1-5 Paradise Street. The former will include a mixture of apartments, such as studio flats, one-bedroom dwellings, two-bed units and three-bed apartments. Landscaping and parking will be included in the development which is by A2Dominion Homes. The same developers are also responsible for the homes at Simon House.
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