Controversial plans to build a new housing development in Wokingham have been rejected by the council. 

Property developer Mactaggart and Mickel Homes submitted the proposals which would have seen 200 homes built on 10.68 hectares of private land between Tape Lane and Lodge Road in Hurst. 

The site is not within the green belt but is located beyond the development limits and is within land designated as ‘countryside.’ 

The scheme was met with huge opposition from local residents, with a vast majority of the 449 comments listed on the application objected to the plan. 

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Issues such as increased traffic, pressure on amenities and the impact on the environment were noted, with one resident, Tony Mansfield, insisting there are “already enough houses” in Hurst. 

“[…] an additional 200 [houses] will add to the pressure on schools, GP surgeries and general services which are already overloaded,” he added. 

Another resident, David Dennett, proposed that the site would be better used as a “nature reserve” and there was an opportunity to make it “even more biodiverse.” 

“The land and trees already support a wide range of wildlife and I feel any form of development will mean losing this,” he added. 

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The application proposed the development to be made up of mixed type homes, including both houses and apartments, with 40 per cent being affordable. 

Those residents in support of the application emphasised the need for “more affordable housing” and encouraged the development for the “next generation.” 

Maxine Reed said: “There needs to be more housing for young adults to get started as the area is very expensive.” 

Another resident, Nicola O’Connor, added: “The field is surrounded by housing. […] there are next to no affordable homes in hurst which this development proposes to bring.” 

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As well as houses, the proposal also outlined plans which included parks and gardens, a tennis court, play area, and a community orchard, as well as a network of cycle routes and footpaths. 

Initially the scheme suggested building 300 homes at the site. However, this was reduced to 200 following the results of two public consultations. 

One was held online where 56 individuals submitted feedback, the other was an in-person public exhibition which was attended by 85 people, including the local MP Theresa May. 

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The submission was subsequently rejected on the grounds of excessive countryside development, highway safety and insufficient affordable housing. 

The council’s head of development management in the place & growth department, Marcia Head, stated in her report that: “[The] creation of a new unplanned large housing estate on a greenfield site in the countryside outside of settlement limits. 

“The application fails to demonstrate that the proposed vehicle access, highway alterations and overall development would have an acceptable impact on highway safety [and] fails to make adequate provision for affordable housing.”