Secretary of State approves Shinfield planning appeals
Release Date 09 November 2012
The Secretary of State has today (9 November 2012) announced his decision to approve the University of Reading's planning appeals¹ on its applications to develop land at Shinfield West. The approvals will allow for the creation of around 1,350 new homes, including community facilities, an Eastern Relief Road and a country park by the River Loddon².
David Savage, Chief Operating Officer of the University of Reading, said: "We are delighted with the Secretary of State's decision in favour of the University's proposals. During the course of the public inquiry last autumn, and throughout the lengthy application process, the University put forward a robust case and established significant areas of common ground with Wokingham Borough Council.
"The release of the land for future development will provide funding for the required associated infrastructure, including the Eastern Relief Road, recreational facilities, a new school and community centre in Shinfield as well as the infrastructure to support the University's planned Science and Innovation Park for the region.
"We look forward to working closely with Wokingham Borough Council, Shinfield Parish Council and the local community to realise these schemes and to bringing considerable economic benefit and much needed housing to the area."
ENDS
NOTE TO EDITORS
¹ Appeals. The University of Reading lodged appeals on three planning applications to develop land at Shinfield - one for around 1,350 new homes and community facilities at Shinfield West, another for the Shinfield Eastern Relief Road, and a further application for a new SANG; an informal recreation space like a country park on land adjoining the River Loddon. Each of the applications was considered by a Planning Inspector (by means of a Public Inquiry - a form of appeal hearing) in October and November 2011.
² University of Reading Planning Applications for land at Shinfield. The Shinfield scheme is part of the first phase of proposals for development in the South of M4 Strategic Development Location (SDL), identified in Wokingham Borough Council's Core Strategy. The South of M4 SDL forms an important part of the Council's strategy to provide much needed housing in the area, whilst maintaining the distinctive identity of each of the relevant settlements (in this case Shinfield and neighbouring Spencers Wood and Three Mile Cross). The University's proposals were the result of extensive public consultation between 2008 - 2010.
The Council's South of M4 Strategic Development Location (SDL), of which Shinfield West is a significant part, is designated within the Core Strategy as an area that will accommodate substantial development over the next decade.
Barton Willmore provided planning consultancy and masterplanning to the University of Reading"