Opposition to plan for 138 homes on Reading outskirts

Pincents Hill is a field and nature area situated between Savacentre in Calcot and City Road in Tilehurst.

The large site, with Pincents Lane running along it, falls under West Berkshire Council's jurisdiction.

There have been three major attempts by developers to build on Pincents Hill, all of which have failed as the site was not allocated for development with the council's Local Plan.

However, that situation has changed as the council's Liberal Democrat administration was pushed into adopting it by both Conservative and Labour government planning ministers.

Discussions of the Local Plan was held at an extraordinary council meeting.

Referring to Pincents Hill specifically, councillor Clive Taylor (Labour, Tilehurst Birch Copse) said: "Development of this site has been repeatedly refused over many years.

"It was excluded from our existing and approved Local Plan due to traffic-related concerns.

"The residents of my ward and well beyond have responded to three previous planning applications, appeals and proposals to allocate this site in Local Plans with thousands of objections.

"Over three thousand individuals objected at the last planning application."

A petition against development at Pincents Hill on Change.org received 1,826 signatures.

More than one thousand people sign petition against major development plan west of Reading 

It states: "We strongly oppose the proposed development of any dwellings and associated infrastructure on the land east of Pincents Lane, Tilehurst, as outlined in the Local Plan Review by West Berkshire Council.

"This move disregards the overwhelming public sentiment—with over 2,000 objections lodged in 2022 alone—and the Council’s own historical stance on preserving this land."

Signatories demanded that councillors say no to any development at the site.

Cllr Taylor said: "Why do people care so much about preserving in its entirety? Its beauty, wildlife tranquillity and its close proximity to the urban areas of Tilehurst, Calcot and Theale are part of the answer."

A roebuck deer at the Pincents Hill site between Calcot and Tilehurst on the outskirts of Reading. (Image: Pincents Hill Against Development Facebook group)

He added that the development would suffer from a lack of infrastructure and cause huge queues on the A4 Bath Road to and from the Savacentre.

Cllr Taylor said: "I support the need for more affordable housing in our region, but I'd be betraying the trust of the residents I represent if I support this Plan as it's presented to us."

Cllr Biyi Oloko (Conservative, Tilehurst South & Holybrook), echoing the arguments raised, said: "I cannot do anything but vote for the wish of the people, and that's why I'm voting against it."

The Local Plan was discussed as the council has conducted a Review of it to ensure it is up to date for the next 15 years up to 2041.

The Local Plan Review has been the subject of clashes between the previous Conservative and current Liberal administrations at the council.

The Liberal Democrats wanted to withdraw the Review, but were directed to by Conservative planning minister Lee Rowley in December 2023 , a decision that was confirmed by Labour planning minister Matthew Pennycock this year.

Ultimately, the plan was approved with 22 councillors voting for it, 13 against and cllr Dennis Bennyworth (Conservative, Hungerford & Kintbury) abstaining.

The approval means that Pincents Hill has been allocated as a site for 138 homes in the plan.

The decision was made at the full council meeting on Tuesday, June 10.

Disclaimer: images were found and compiled by a member of the Pincents Hill Against Development Facebook group. Attempts are being made to find the correct copyright credits for photos featured.