Planners call for greater say on university science park

Published 31 Jul 2009 18:00 1 Comment

PLANNERS say Reading University's proposed science park in Shinfield could cause serious traffic problems and they want a greater say on the scheme.

Reading borough planning committee has no control over the development because it is in Wokingham borough but it is lodging an official objection.

Council officers recommended support in principle for the science park but warn of the "severe implication for the transport network of Reading".

Their report read: "What is concerning is that while the results of the submitted transport assessments show that additional traffic will be placed on the A327 and A33 corridors, no assessment of the transport network within Reading was undertaken."

The university wants outline planning permission for a 18,580 sq m research and development area, phase one of a 74,322 sq m science and innovation park north of Lane End Farm in Cutbush Lane, Shinfield.

Wokingham planners will consider it by September, but Cllr Tony Page, Reading borough planning leader, told the committee: "We have as much right to be involved as Wokingham Borough Council does.

"I propose we strongly word an additional submission making strong representations to the university that we be really involved and consulted about all the university developments, not just those that technically fall within Reading borough."

Cllr Pete Ruhemann added: "The university likes to think of itself as a second unitary authority and it does need to develop a working relationship with us."

A spokesman for Reading University declined to comment.

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This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 29 Jul 09

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• 

  Chris Hossack
  Unregistered User
  Aug 4, 22:03
  Report comment

  Hi,
  
  I'm totally against the Science Park. Apart from eating up the green wedges between the villages and building a gyratory road system around Lane End Farm (which is a Grade II listed building) it's going to increase traffic along the B3270 (Whitley Wood Lane) by about 41958 cars who will be trying to get to Junction 11 of the M4. The residents of Cutbush Lane have started a website www.cutbushlane.com to fight these plans.
  
  1) A better solution would be to build the Science Park it's own M4 Junction to avoid increasing the traffic in Reading.
  
  2) A better location would be to build the Science Park near Grazeley to make good use of the railway line and easy access to Junction 11 of the M4.
  
  3) A cheaper solution would be to just use all of the empty office spaces in Green Park.
  
  4) A future proof solution would be to build a link road from J11 to the A327 Arborfield Road to prepare for all the extra traffic the new housing estates will generate when the government sells off the army barracks at Arborfield.
  
  Chris
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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