Reading neighbours fear for wildlife as work starts in wood

Neighbours are worried animals, protected species and trees could be put at risk in the wooded area near the Tilehurst Allotments, as two pieces of land surrounding the allotments could have 80 homes built on them.

The land is owned the Tilehurst Poor’s Land Charity (TPLC), which has hired a contractor to conduct surveyance work.

Until now, activists have been blocking the only vehicular access to the sites by parking their cars at the end of the car park for the allotments in Armour Hill.

But yesterday (Friday, September 23) one of the campaigners said the contractors have been able to pass the blockade and establish a portacabin where work is due to take place.

Nearby neighbour Deborah Dadd, 50, said:  “At the moment what we’re doing is blocking the contractors accessing the car park. There’s probably 110 of us.

“Each person takes their turn to park their car, which is blocking heavy vehicle access to the site.

“But today there was only one car parked their, and they’ve managed to break through.”

READ MORE: Fears raised that Tilehurst housing development could endanger allotments and green space

Mrs Dadd fears that surveyance could prompt possible land clearance work and, as such, raised concerns any works would endanger animals living in the woodland.

The neighbour cited a Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre survey which states badgers, muntjac deers, foxes, slow worms and red kites are in the woodland between Armour Hill and Kentwood Hill.

Mrs Dadd said: “We want to speak to the ecologist for the project, because there are 32 species in these woods, six or seven of them are protected.

“They could not pretend that they don’t know what’s there.”

She wants TPLC to negotiate with activists ensure that wildlife is protected.

Adding: “We just want them to meet us or talk.

“They do know how to contact us. We want to get them to the table.”

Deborah Dadd (right) and Professor Julia Waters are both part of the Keep Kentwood Green campaign. Credit: UGC

Mrs Dadd is an allotment plot holder and a member of the Keep Kentwood Green campaign, which has an online petition with 608 signatures calling on TPLC to not sell the land and protect it from development.

However, the two pieces of land could have a total of 80 new homes built on them according to the Reading Local Plan, with 41-62 homes envisaged at Kentwood Hill  (policy WR3s) and 12-18 homes at Armour Hill (WR3t).

TPLC sent out a letter this Wednesday (September 21) informing allotment plot holders that site work will begin next Monday (September 26).

The letter states: “The works include limited cutting back of scrub and brambles so that a range of essential investigations and surveys can be conducted, including the identification of tree species and an ecology study.”

The car park to the Tilehurst Allotments. Users and activists are blocking the entry to a prospective homes site with their cars. Credit: UGC

The work will take place over three weeks, with further details on a consultation website hosted by Chaneys Chartered Surveyors & Property Managers.

Further works, outside the survey, have not been confirmed by TPLC. Contractor Aspect Arboricultural, which has accessed the site this week, has not responded to a request to comment.

However, the enquiry was responded to by Collin Cairns, the chairman of TPLC. 

Mr Cairns said: "The Charity’s lands at Kentwood Hill and Armour Hill in Tilehurst are allocated sites for housing development in the Reading Borough Council local plan, and there are issues that need to be addressed before any future planning application can be considered.

"The Governing Document of the Charity defines its aim as the relief of poverty – in the area of West Reading, Tilehurst and Theale – by making grants of money for goods and services to people in need, hardship or distress. 

"The Charity Trustees are legally required to place the best interests of the poor and of the Charity above all other considerations. 

"Charity Commission guidance states that Charities must make objective decisions, and must not be unduly influenced by those who may have special interests or personal interests."

Trees on the site have been protected by a blanket Tree Preservation Order (TPO). Although TPLC and Aspect Arboricultural objected to the TPO, it was confirmed at a council planning meeting on June 22.