Swallowfield villagers win battle as 81 homes plan refused

Plans to build 81 homes on the edge of a village have been refused despite being recommended for approval.

Residents of Swallowfield in Wokingham, Berkshire, said the plans by Croudace Homes would "irreversibly damage the village" and increase its size by 42%.

Officers agreed but said the scheme was recommended for approval because the borough did not have a five-year housing land supply.

Eight councillors voted against the plans with one abstaining.

Chris Robert of Boyer Planning consultancy said 33 of the homes would be affordable, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

He added: "I think that's significant in a village that isn't furnished with a great stock of existing social housing, affordable housing."

Resident Jeremy Bayliss told the meeting: "This would be wholly inappropriate and severely damage the ambience and character of the village.

"It would do nothing to conserve and enhance it."

Councillors on the planning committee said new residents would have to travel long distances to get to supermarkets or schools, meaning the location could not sustain such a large development.

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