Issue - meetings

Recommendation: Conditional approval

Proposal: Application for approval of Reserved Matters pursuant to Outline Planning Consent O/2014/2179 (as varied by 181194, dated 14/11/2018). The Reserved Matters comprise details of 157 dwellings across parcels P14 and P15 with access via the Nine Mile Ride Extension (NMRE), associated internal roads, provision of Public Open Space (PG2 and AGS5), sports facilities land and allotments land, together with parking, cycleways, footpaths, landscaping and sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS). Details of access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale to be considered.

Applicant: CALA Homes Thames Ltd

The Committee considered a report about this application, set out in agenda pages 33 to 72.

The Committee were advised that updates contained within the Supplementary Planning Agenda included an update to condition 1 to insert updated planning reference numbers.

John Richards, on behalf of the applicant, spoke in support of the application. John stated that this reserved matters application continued the progress of the Finchwood Park site, whilst phase one was nearing full occupation and phases two and three were under construction. John added that this application for phases fourteen and fifteen would open up the eastern part of the site, allowing delivery to significantly advance. John stated that there was a real community at Finchwood Park, with over 150 occupations across both private and affordable tenures, with critical infrastructure including a SANG which would be transferred to Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) and the Nine Mile Ride being delivered. John added that this application sought to deliver a further 157 new homes, with 52 being affordable. A mix of housing types including 3-, 4-, and 5-bedroom family homes would continue the establishment of a diverse new community within the Arborfield SDL. Over 2.5 hectares of open space would be delivered as part of this application, including an area of the highest quality and diversity which would include a trim trail, bridleway, wildflower planting, play area, BMX facility and a pocket park. This application would also unlock strategic sport and recreation provision to be delivered by WBC via CIL, including sports hubs and new allotments. Ten percent of the site’s energy requirements would be delivered through the installation of photovoltaic panels, whilst electric vehicle charging points would be installed at every property. John stated that each home would include an incorporated bat box, insect brick, hedgehog hole and native tree planting.

John Kaiser stated that whilst he was supportive of the development at Arborfield, he was concerned by the number of four-bedroom homes being delivered. John added that the strategic market assessment carried out in 2016 stated that no more than twenty-two percent of any homes should four-bedroom dwellings. John noted that the proposed Toutley development later on in the agenda proposed just seventeen percent of four-bedroom dwellings, whilst this development proposed thirty-three percent. John felt that this was not what the Borough needed. Connor Corrigan, Service Manager - Planning and Delivery, stated that the wider site was delivering 1,500 units and the delivery of affordable units and unit types was looked at across  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24