Road closures expected as housing build begins

The homes are due to be built at Sandleford Park near Newbury

Road closures and traffic changes are set to be put in place over several years as preparations begin to build a housing development near Newbury.

Developers Bloor Homes said it expected to start the construction of infrastructure in for its Sandleford Park East housing development, with up to 1,080 homes, within the next year.

Monks Lane looks set to be the first road to be affected, with months of closure in 2026 scheduled, as construction vehicles will use it to access the site.

The development will also see a new three arm roundabout built at Monks Lane.

The roundabout's location would be approximately 260m west of the Monks Lane and Rupert Road junction.

There is currently no set date for the work, but all the plans point to a 2026 start.

Sandleford Park East will be served by two points of access off Monks Lane, together with an existing link road from the A339 to the east.

A future connection to the planned housing development to the west, known as Sandleford Park West is also due to be built.

Plans to build homes at Sandleford had been mooted for more than 10 years.

Outline planning permission for residential development on Sandleford Park East was allowed at appeal in May 2022 by the Secretary of State.

It allowed for up to 1,080 homes and supporting infrastructure.

Also included in the scheme were a new primary school, expansion land for Park House Academy School and a commercial centre.

The plans also show new open space including a country park, drainage work and walking and cycling infrastructure.

Bloor said in April that although the outline planning permission allowed for up to 1,080 new homes, it anticipated that the actual number would be lower.

"The lower number of homes is a result of completing the various required surveys and ensuring that appropriate buffers are provided to sensitive receptors (eg ancient woodlands)," it said.

The second development, also due to go ahead next year, will see a further 360 new homes on land made famous in children's book Watership Down.

Sandleford Park West got the go-ahead in 2024 despite more than 100 objections and a campaign to prevent it.

There are no details when pre-construction works will begin for that development.