Published: Thursday, 22nd October, 2009 6:00am

Reservoir plan rejection 'is a political game'

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REJECTING plans for homes on a reservoir site was a "dangerous political stunt" according to an independent councillor.

Tony Jones accuses other Reading politicians of opposing Thames Water's application for 96 homes on the land in Bath Road on insufficient planning grounds - simply to avoid unpopularity before next year's elections.

Cllr Jones believes Thames Water will win if it appeals and he added: "Then the politicians would be able to shrug their shoulders and blame it on someone else, such as the planning commissioner. This is nonsense, it's a political game more than a planning issue."

On October 7 Reading planners said they were "minded to refuse" and asked officers to take a list of planning reasons for rejection to their meeting on November 4.

But Cllr Jones said: "The politicians are trying to get the professionals to shore up their untenable position."

Planning chairman Cllr Jim Hanley said: "The committee decided it was minded to refuse and we asked officers to work on the reasons presented. It is Cllr Jones' interpretation of that that I think is his own."

Thames Water declined to comment on its plans until it has received the reasons for the application refusal.