The sites of three contentious planning applications are to be inspected this Friday ahead of a decision being made next week. 

Wokingham Councillors will visit the location of a proposed orchard to better understand the impact it will have on the area, as well as inspections of a vintage boat collection site and a completed barn conversion to assess their impact on the green belt. 

Having received 14 objections to the original application, plans to alter the land levels of a grassed area at Swallowbrook, a residential home in Arborfield, went before a previous planning committee which determined a site visit was necessary before a decision could be made. 

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The plan proposes reducing the slope of the land in order to plant apple, pear, cherry and plum trees, as well as the formation of raised vegetable beds. The applicant claims the “current steep gradient” of the site is not appropriate for vegetable or plant growth. 

As well as residents objecting to the views being “visually disrupted” by the development, Arborfield and Newland Parish Council raised concerns over the impact it might have on neighbouring properties, which it says could be at “increased flooding risk” due to floodwater being dispersed. 

The inspection will “consider the impact on the character of the area”, before the plan is determined at a planning committee meeting on Wednesday September 14. 

The Rose Toop Boatyard on Wargrave Road, the site of a vintage boat collection, will also receive a visit as it proposes extensions to its existing buildings as the council want to assess the impact on the green belt. 

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The applicant purchased the site site principally for the storage, maintenance and repair of the Rose-Toop Collection of vintage boats, as well as for storage and display of the associated library, archives and memorabilia. 

It was refused planning permission in 2021, with the proposals for ground and first floor extensions to the existing buildings having now been revised. 

The extensions are intended to provide an additional workshop, gallery and mezzanine level for dry storage, along with recreational floorspace. 

The plan has 78 comments in support of designs, including the former Prime Minister and MP for Maidenhead, Theresa May, who says she hopes the council “look favourably” on the proposal now the reasons for prior refusal have been addressed. 

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There is not currently a date scheduled for when the application will come before the planning committee. 

An inspection of Brick Barns in Remenham Hill will be conducted to retrospectively assess the impact on the green belt of a development that has already gone ahead. 

The developments, which included a barn extension, change of use of land, formation of hard standing and erection of six outbuildings, were deemed to have been in breach of planning regulations. 

Objections have been lodged against the application relating to the impact the plan will have on the landscape and biodiversity of the area. 

The plan will be determined by the planning committee at a meeting being held on Wednesday September 14.