Government intervenes over west Berkshire housing plan
Liberal democrats say the Government will force housing on the main towns in the area
The Government has kyboshed West Berkshire Council’s hopes of ditching the district’s local plan.
It means, in the words of one councillor, that somewhere the size of Hungerford will now be attached to Thatcham.
Owen Jeffery’s (Lib Dem, Thatcham, Colthrop and Cookham) comments saw the Lib Dem authority climb down from binning the plan, which will see up to 2,500 homes built in Thatcham, and another 100 in Theale.
The Government had threatened to take over planning control. Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Michael Gove told local councils they would lose planning control unless they sorted their local plans out.
These plans set out what, where and how many homes will be built until 2039.
So the Lib Dems had to fall on their sword at a specially convened meeting.
“The main towns will take the brunt of the development,” said Lee Dillon, council leader.
“Newbury and Thatcham will be more congested. Villages less viable. More second homes will force local people out. Towns should see managed growth and villages should flourish. But that is now lost.”
They went down throwing spurs at the Tories.
“Your discredited government is stopping us withdrawing a bad plan,” said Jeff Brooks (Lib Dem, Thatcham West ). ”It’s a ropey plan from a ropey administration.”
The move to withdraw the plan was brought about as the Lib Dems said the previous Tory administration had “rushed through” the “flawed” plan ahead of the local council elections they “knew they were going to lose” and saw some heated political mud slinging.
The Tories said the move to withdraw the plan was done to tick off a manifesto pledge made by the Lib Dems at the local elections – in the full knowledge that it would not go through, allowing them to ‘blame the government’ for its failing.
The blue opposition took full advantage of the political high ground.
“They have won a pyrrhic victory,” said Ross Mackinnon (Con, Bradfield).
“It’s all about how they look to voters. They knew the government would intervene. You have shown your true colours to the residents of West Berkshire.”
Dominic Boeck (Con, Aldermaston) said the plan was not flawed.
He added: “The plan was the result of four years of hard work by officers and members of all parties.
“This motion was just a fig leaf to cover their embarrassment when it became clear that they were never going to keep their promises.
“It’s not clear who came up with this wheeze to curry favour with the voters.
But the Lib Dems defended their stance.
“Who will be able to get a doctor’s appointment in Thatcham?” asked Heather Codling (Lib Dem, Chieveley and Cold Ash). “We need to share this development out more across the district.”
The Lib Dems argued that ‘viable villages’ would be a better way to develop West Berkshire.
“We need affordable, rural houses,” said Martin Colston (Lib Dem, Newbury Central). “This plan will work against this. Younger people are forced to move away to towns. We need more working people in our villages.”
The motion to withdraw the plan was itself withdrawn.
The council now has an option to go back to the government by January 12 to argue its case for withdrawal.