Shinfield development plans 'beggar belief'

Adam Hewitt • Published 16 Sep 2010 18:30 2 Comments

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READING has sent its strong objections to “unacceptable” proposals for a bypass and up to 1,200 homes close to its southern boundary.

Reading University’s applications do not give enough consideration to the effect of the scheme at Shinfield on Reading borough, the planning committee decided last night (Wednesday).

It will now send its objections, centred on forecast extra traffic and pressure on school places, to Wokingham Borough Council which is due to make its decision on the applications next month.

Shinfield and the neighbouring villages are earmarked as one of four ‘strategic development locations’ in Wokingham borough for up to 2,500 homes over the next 16 years.

Reading University’s application is for a Shinfield bypass, from the Arborfield Road to the Black Boys Roundabout, for 1,200 homes at a development called Shinfield West, and a country park near the Loddon to make up for the development’s impact on the countryside.

The Reading planning officers’ report says: “The submitted Transport Assessment includes all routes south of, and including, the Black Boys Roundabout, but no roads north of Black Boys.”

It says the predicted 42% extra rush hour traffic on the A327 Shinfield Road and 28% on the B3270 “would result in significant additional congestion, pollution and air quality”.

Cllr Tony Page said: “We’re right on the edge of this site but are effectively written out of the script. I would hope Wokingham would regard it as unacceptable for a transport assessment to be submitted that is this incomplete - I’d almost say that the application should be regarded as invalid, because it does not fulfil what a transport assessment should be doing. It just beggars belief.”

But Barton Willmore, on behalf of the developer, says those rises are cumulative over the next 17 years and apply to all nearby development, not just Reading University’s proposal at Shinfield West, which is responsible for just over 8% of the forecast increase.

Nick Paterson-Neild, Associate at Barton Willmore, said the Reading planning officers were “not correct” to say the assessment took no account of the effects of the development on Reading and ignored other planned development at Green Park Village and Kennet Island, and said the developers would fund bus priority measures along the A327.

Reading borough transport leader Cllr Richard Willis, who sits on the planning committee, said the extra developments would cause far more delays in south Reading, adding: “If the residents of Shinfield Road think they have got problems with traffic congestion at the moment...”

Cllr Kirsten Bayes added: “I’m really worried about the traffic flows and really worried about the school places. There is absolutely reason to object. The applicant in this case should think again.”

Officers said Wokingham borough had only a “loose commitment” to a new secondary school at Arborfield Garrison, rather than firm plans, which also worried the panel and Cllr Pete Ruhemann doubted the school would materialise.

As reported in last week's Chronicle, Shinfield parish councillor John Heggadon said he shared Reading's concerns. He said that while he opposed the housing and bypass in its current form, he understood that if the housing were to go ahead, the bypass would become necessary as the traffic situation would become "catastrophic" without it.

The plans are due to come before Wokingham borough’s planning committee next month.

Wokingham’s executive member for planning, Cllr Angus Ross, said: “The provision of the strategic development location (SDL) around Shinfield, Spencers Wood and Three Mile Cross is part of our adopted Core Strategy. Traffic was considered at the time by the Inspector, and he found the proposal sound.”

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