Plans including 20 affordable homes rejected

The plans for 49 plots included 20 affordable homes ranging from one-bed to four-bed properties

Plans for a development on unused land, which included 20 affordable homes, have been rejected after an appeal by the developer.

The 49 homes were proposed by Maverick Properties on Heathlands Road just outside Wokingham, Berkshire.

A bill to reform planning is making its way through parliament and the government-appointed inspector David Prentis acknowledged the benefits of affordable housing. But he said the scheme was not sustainable, would impact bats and trees, was in conflict with local policy and would harm the area's character.

Local councillors welcomed the decision as a "great result" while Brad McCouid, director of Maverick Properties, said he was "disappointed".

Developer expected to resubmit plans

The project would have included 20 affordable homes consisting of three four-bed homes, four three-bed, nine two-bed and four one-bed properties.

As part of new government targets, Wokingham is expected to facilitate the creation of about 1,300 homes a year and in 2024 the borough council published its local plan which outlined the requirement for thousands of new homes.

Data from the council showed in July 2024 there were 1,160 people on the housing register, with 582 of those in exceptional, urgent or significant need.

Maverick Properties attempted to get the decision overturned at an appeal but while the inspector did acknowledge the benefits of affordable housing, he judged that "the adverse impacts would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits".

Mr McCouid said the concerns "could have been more appropriately and thoroughly addressed at the reserved matters stage and associated developer contributions".

He added: "We will take the appeal inspectors comments on board and look forward to working with the local planning authority to find an amicable solution to bring forward much needed housing to the area at a time of a sustained shortfall and desperate need."

Colony Architects, instructed by Maverick Properties to draw up the plans, described the reasons for objection as "minor in comparison with the benefits that would have been brought to the area".

"It is disappointing that these things take so much time in the planning process, often many years to bring to a decision, which only serves to exacerbate the problem of a shortage in housing supply," the architects added.

Welcoming the news, Wokingham councillor Marc Brunel-Walker said: "This is a great result and a fantastic community effort by residents, the parish councillors and borough councillors."