DEVELOPERS have been served a Breach of Condition notice after failing to complete work at the site of ancient woodland for more than two years.

Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) raised concerns with Persimmon Homes after ward councillors for Earley grew frustrated with the progress at the former Sibly Hall site.

Original planning permission required the company to plant trees and shrubs at the site, but the council believes the developer has failed to honour the agreement.

Councillor Pauline Jorgensen said: “I am pleased that Persimmon are finally being brought to task for their work at the former Sibly Hall site.

“My Conservative colleagues and I have repeatedly raised the issue of the quality of work on site and have been concerned that the developer has not been completing the landscaping that the council required them to do.

“Hopefully, Persimmon will now do the reasonable thing and comply with the notice issued by the council.”

The land at Redhatch Copse was sold by the University of Reading, with a view to building 89 dwellings.

Persimmon Homes missed the June deadline and could face legal action if they fail to comply with the notice by March 31.

Councillor Simon Weeks, executive member for Planning at WBC, said: “The council has struggled to get Persimmon to honour its Section 106 obligations in a timely fashion.

“Officers and the Town Council have met on site with the representatives of Persimmon on at least three occasions in the last two years.

"On each occasion Persimmon agreed to [bring the works to a conclusion] but then failed to fully implement a programme of outstanding works.”

“Should Persimmon again miss [the June 2017 deadline for completion] we will have no option but to pursue a legal remedy.”

While most of the work has been carried out, it is unlikely the woodland will be handed over to Earley Town Council before the upgrades are completed.

A spokesman for Persimmon Homes Thames Valley said: “We acknowledge that a Breach of Condition Notice has been received from the Wokingham Borough Council, however this has been queried due to it not providing any matters of specific detail.

“The development has been laid out in accordance with the planning permission. As part of this permission any failed planting, including trees, is to be replaced during a five-year period.

“The indication of a matter relating to the storm water drainage scheme has only just been raised, and is therefore being reviewed and specific details have been requested. Details of the whole drainage scheme were both submitted and approved previously by the council, and the only known amendment is an alteration agreed with Thames Water, the adopting authority for this element.

“In addition, this company has both been in communication and held meetings with representatives of the council to review progress made and the receipt of the notice at this stage is somewhat surprising. However we can confirm that we will continue to complete any outstanding works in accordance with the approved scheme.”