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]

Danny you have a very different view to the regular people I speak to on door steps, parish councils and the like. Rose tinted spectacles???

If you are so confident that everything is above board, why object to a review???

[dannyboy]

Danny you have a very different view to the regular people I speak to on door steps, parish councils and the like. Rose tinted spectacles???

If you are so confident that everything is above board, why object to a review???

Beacuse I believe that any incumbent administration would have made similar decisions.
Being on the outside, such as yourself, it is very easy to criticise. I don't believe a Labour controlled council would have made an iota of difference to the way development has progressed in West Berks. It is just political point scoring. Typical opposition -

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I don't know anyone who is against, the Parkway scheme.

[blackdog]

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I don't know anyone who is against, the Parkway scheme.

I am against it - too big, too high, too much. Nothing I have seen as it goes up has made me change my opinion. However, it is happening so there is not much point campaigning against it now.

I was against the cinema - thought it was an ghastly design when I first saw the plans and it's even worse now its built.

I am against the pavillion in the park - and will continue to object until they finally force it through or, hopefully, give in to common sense and abandon the idea.