Controversial 75 Homes Plan Decision Looms

A verdict is due on plans for 75 homes in Charvil, between Reading and Twyford near Elizabeth Line stops. The site is off Park Lane, between The Hawthorns and Canberra Lake Way, by the A4.

Outline permission was granted in December 2024 to Hicks Developments and later bought by Bellway, which submitted detailed plans in December last year.

Bellway will deliver 30 affordable homes - 10 two-bed, 12 three-bed, six four-bed and two five-bed - with 21 at social rent, seven 'First Homes' and two shared ownership. The rest are 26 four-bedroom and 19 five-bedroom market houses.

The application will go to Wokingham Borough Council's planning committee after being listed by councillor Leon Cook (Conservative, Thames).

There have been 197 objections, mainly over a lack of landscape buffer with Canberra Lake Way and a proposed footpath. Neighbour Neil Barber said construction traffic and trips by future occupants would create an "unacceptable safety hazard" for cyclists and children walking to The Charvil Piggot Primary School on the opposite side of Park Lane.

A planning officer recommends approval subject to conditions, noting the affordable housing and design. A pedestrian link to Canberra Lake Way was removed after advice from a Thames Valley Police Designing Out Crime officer, and the highways officer deems travel arrangements acceptable.

The planning committee will decide on Wednesday 12 August. You can view the application by searching reference 253071 on the council planning portal.

The project was controversial when outline permission was approved in December 2024; Rob Jones, then of Charvil Parish Council, said residents 'felt ignored' by the planning department.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter