Councillors Reject Controversial Riseley Housing Plans

A 'wholly unsuitable' and 'alien' plan to build up to 44 homes on a field south of Reading has been rejected by councillors.

Wellington Estate, which is owned by the Duke of Wellington and the owner of Wellington Country Park, had proposed a scheme off Sun Lane in Riseley with up to 40% affordable homes.

Wokingham Borough Council planning officers recommended approval, saying the benefits of new and affordable homes outweighed harm to the countryside and the site's reliance on cars. But the planning committee voted to refuse the application at a meeting last Wednesday night (October 14), citing impact on the countryside, local infrastructure and the site's remoteness.

Residents and ward councillors warned the development would add pressure on schools, GP surgeries and roads and damage Riseley's rural character. One resident told the committee the scheme would "urbanise" the village and said infrastructure in Riseley and neighbouring Swallowfield was already under strain.

Ward councillor Dave Hare urged rejection over concerns about nearby listed buildings, drainage and wildlife, saying the density would be "alien" to Riseley and would alter its rural character.

Members also questioned the site's suitability because of its distance from everyday services. With few facilities nearby and buses running only once an hour, councillors said future residents would be heavily reliant on cars.

The council's highways officer agreed the site was not sustainable but said the developer had offered £50,000 towards local bus services and had taken steps to improve transport provision.

Committee members noted the site was not allocated in the borough's emerging local plan. Cllr Catherine Glover said the housing shortage should not be used as a "loophole" for speculative developments to "sneak in". Cllr Rebecca Margetts added: "We wouldn't even be looking at this if we had a five-year housing land supply and we had a local plan." She also said: "It wasn't included in the local plan. It is not a site that has been identified."

Speaking for the applicants, planning consultant David Matthews of 3 West said there was a clear need for housing and that the scheme, developed through consultation, would help meet it, including by providing affordable homes; he said there were no statutory objections.

Despite the officers' recommendation, councillors refused the application. It is the second time a proposal for housing on the site has been turned down.

The application is one of several housing schemes being promoted by Wellington Estate, which manages the Duke of Wellington's landholdings in Berkshire and Hampshire. The estate is also linked to proposals for up to 415 homes at Owens Farm near Hook and up to 650 homes in Bramley, both in Hampshire.

Katie French, Local Democracy Reporter