Newbury: 360 homes agreed for land made famous in Watership Down

Richard Adams' novel tells the story of a young rabbit who has a vision of his warren's destruction at Sandleford

A controversial plan to build 360 new homes on land made famous in children's book Watership Down has been approved.

West Berkshire councillors gave the project for Sandleford Park West the go-ahead at a meeting on Wednesday.

Development on the Newbury site, immortalised in Richard Adams' 1972 novel, is led by Donnington New Homes.

Council officers had recommended the development for approval despite more than 100 objections. Concerns included more traffic and access to the area.

Councillor Denise Gaines, portfolio holder for highways, housing and sustainable travel, said the homes were desperately needed.

She told the meeting: "I know how many people are currently on my housing list and are waiting for homes, how many people are in temporary accommodation in our hotels and even the Travelodge.

"These people have been there for some time. This is not an ideal situation in 2024."

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

The government allowed another 1,000-home development for Sandleford in 2022 after it was initially refused by West Berkshire Council.

Watership Down

In 2011, Richard Adams criticised plans to build 2,000 houses in the area.

The author, who died in 2016, said at the time: "It's a beautiful piece of open country and the most beautiful area south of Newbury.

"The very idea of building on it makes your gorge rise."

His novel tells the story of a young rabbit who has a vision of his warren's destruction at Sandleford and journeys with his group to Watership Down.

It was transformed into an animated film in 1978.

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