Homes plan for west Berkshire racing workers axed
A racing charity had planned to build in Lambourn
Last updated 24th Jul 2023
Plans to build 24 flats for racing staff in Lambourn have failed to get out of the stalls.
The charity behind the scheme says complex new planning requirements about waterways pollution, and the increased cost of building works have forced them to withdraw the scheme.
It had been backed by some of the biggest horse racing trainers in the business, including Warren Greatrex, Oliver Sherwood, Dominic Ffrench Davies and Harry Dunlop.
“As a racehorse trainer and resident of Lambourn I am very much in favour of the development of Collingridge farm to provide affordable housing for the varied workforce of our industry,” said Mr Ffrench Davies.
“Lambourn house prices have become beyond the reach of the average worker in our valuable business and it is important to have the facilities to house the staff that work within it.”
But the scheme was also unpopular with villagers in Lambourn – many had written to the council saying that the sewage system was already at breaking point and unable to cope with more homes.
“I have lived in Lambourn for over 30 years and I have observed the numerous situations regarding excess surface and ground water and the appalling discharge of sewage onto the public highway and footpaths,” wrote Dr Peter Cox. “In that time the discharge problem has not been resolved.
“Also in that time there has been a considerable increase in housing with the corresponding increase in waste to be accommodated in the sewage system.”
The plans were submitted by the charity Racing Welfare.
“While we are acutely aware of the pressing need for safe, affordable housing to support recruitment and retention for the industry, unfortunately delays with planning due to new requirements around nutrient neutrality, coupled with substantial increases in building expenses has made the proposed plans unviable for the charity at this time,” said Wendy Botterill, director of housing at Racing Welfare.
“Racing Welfare remains dedicated to supporting the wellbeing of the industry through our broad range of services, including exploring opportunities to expand our 165-strong portfolio of properties available through Racing Homes, our housing management charity.”
One of the many ways rivers, estuaries and wetlands are being polluted is through rising nutrient levels, caused by the way nearby land is being used, either because of sewage or agricultural run-off.
Nutrient neutrality
In a bid to tackle the issue, 74 local planning authorities – including West Berkshire – with protected sites, have been told by Natural England that development in ‘catchments’ around some waterways cannot proceed if the new homes would increase levels of nutrients.
The nutrient neutrality scheme was announced by Government in July 2022 to alleviate the impact of pollution in wastewater from new housing developments and support sustainable development.
This means that, for planning applications in the River Lambourn catchment area and the River Test catchment area, the council needs to consider the possibility of adverse effects, as a result of additional nutrient loads (including from residential developments), as part of a Habitat Regulations Assessment.