Future Development in West Berkshire. Options

[Richard Garvie]

In response to a question on another thread, I don't actually believe there will be a need for additional residential development for some time to come due to the fact that by the time of the election, we will be stuck with the decisions that have been made to date. That being said, we owe it to those land owners who wish to develop to listen to their ideas and if their is a need identified in the coming years or a proposal that will benefit the area, we owe it to them to have an open and honest discussion with residents to identify a development that would be acceptable in the future.

What I would support now is in areas where residents wish to have affordable housing and in some cases villagers have already bought land, the construction of housing that is both reasonably priced and allocated to people who have a natural affinity with those areas. If there are a couple of additional units sold at a higher price to help fund it, then the full council needs to make a common sense decision.

The immediate need in West Berks is infrastructure. Roads & Rail capacity, schools, medical services, policing and fire cover. All of the things that should have been in place first to accomodate growth, we are now going to have to do in hindsight. With everything running at or close to capacity, I just worry where the funding is coming from because there is a distinct lack of provision from the developers. Do we have full pressure water supply to all allocated and proposed developments??? I know that there isn't at Pincents Hill which is likely to get the green light in January. What about flood prevention??? Will West Berks be left to finish the roads within all of these developments??? Far too many questions which should have been answered a long time before any construction begins.

PS. I guarentee that the space ship design pavillion would not be built under Labour, and we will fight any attempts to give it permission before the election. We would rather see a similar building that is of similar size to the existing building which consists of a cafe and boat store. I think Victoria Park should be left to NTC, who have a superb vision for the park already.

[Richard Garvie]

Shocking decisions? Please elaborate, with your suggested alternative proposals had you been at the time a councillor.

I had some wanna be councillor knocking on my door some time back, at the time when the new tip was just about to be decided upon. When asked about it he came out with all the party crap about why the new site was a poor choice. Great I said. So where did he & his party suggest it was built? He had no answer. Being in opposition s fine, but you do have to have some solid alternatives.

Shocking decisions.

Park Way

It was no secret that Victoria Park is built on a marsh. Maybe the planning department could have identified the history of the land and established if there is any risk of disturbing the water table when construction began on Park Way.

Parking - See above. When it does open, will there be signage to other existing car parks???

Stores - Why were Park Way allowed to steal Debenhams from the Kennet Centre and why are they still tapping up other stores? Surely the point was to bring new and additional stores to town???

Racecourse

The issue is the fact that WBC have disgarded their own copnsultations and strategy after a matter of months, never mind the reduction in affordable housing.

Sandleford

Was the site selected because councillors were actively promoting it's inclusion. Surely members should have remained independent. Also, would a site closer to the A34 not have been more suitable???

Theale

Planning departments works with developers who apply. Members reject it due to public feeling. The next thing residents know, it's been approved on appeal through the back door with a reduced number of units.

Padworth Waste Facility

Hundred of extra vehicles will need to access Padworth each day. Where was the provision for this in the planning application??? Instead, the traffic must travel through the level crossing at Aldermaston station I believe, despite the fact that Aldermaston Parish council have come up with a relief road proposal in 2006.

Pincents Hill

The developer worked with officers to ensure it goes through on appeal (so they say), if it does it will leave questions to be answered on what sort of assistance was given. Nobody in the eastern area wants the development, and there are other sites that could be looked at. Instead, the developer has continued to arrogantly tell residents that it will go through on appeal, they've said it from day 1. How can that be ethical behaviour from a developer???

Retail

WBC turned away numerous supermarket companies who were willing to pay millions in s106 payments. They were turned away, and the next thing we know we get a new Tesco on the A4!!! Did they contribute anything???

There's a couple to start you off.