Finchampstead locals object to 'undesirable' 40-home build

Plans to build mostly affordable houses in a field on Longwater Road between Finchampstead and Eversley were first submitted to Wokingham Borough Council on June 20.

Developers have proposed a total of 40 homes, with at least 28 being affordable, amounting to 70 per cent. They would have a mixture of one to four bedrooms.

As well as the formal complaints, locals have  mobilised on Facebook, delivering leaflets through letter boxes, and have set up a meeting on July 23 at Finchampstead Memorial Hall.

A further sign has been erected at the entrance to the field, which says ‘say NO to 40 new houses here.’

Residents are mainly concerned with the impact on nature and wildlife, traffic and the provision of local services.

They claim that locals are already struggling with getting GP appointments, and that the new estate won’t be easily accessed by public transport, meaning there will be more cars clogging the roads.

Plans for the new development (Image: Wokingham Borough Council)

One resident wrote: “The size and scale of this is totally unsuitable for the area and simply local services and infrastructure won't be able to cope.”

Cllr Charles Margetts, who represents the Finchampstead ward, highlighted that the council currently has no local plan or five-year land supply – a key contention that means applications can be more easily approved.

The Tory councillor wrote: “Even with the tilted balance this application would do real harm to the area.

“There are many better more sustainable sites where houses can be built in the borough.”

This is one of many controversial housing developments across the borough. Affordable housing was a key issue in the recent general election campaign, with the conservative candidate for Wokingham, Lucy Demery, promising to ‘protect green spaces’ that were facing overdevelopment by the Lib-Dem led council.

Some commentators also noted that the proposal for this site is similar to that of ones that have not been approved in the past.

As well as this, other plans are producing 35 per cent affordable housing, causing campaigners to argue that the area is already seeing a significant growth in more sustainable locations.

However, developers say that the houses will ‘feature a traditional form enhanced with contemporary detailing’ which replicates existing houses along Wood Moor and Cricket Hill.

Those opposing the development will meet at Finchampstead Memorial Hall on July 23.