Opposition grows to Reading Golf Club housing plan
Last updated 7th Oct 2020
More than 2,000 people have now objected to plans for hundreds of homes at Reading Golf Club, according to campaigners.
A data map by Keep Emmer Green (KEG), who are campaigning against the 260-home development, shows roughly 2,068 people have objected to the proposal, with 127 people supporting the plan.
RGC has signed up developer Fairfax and housebuilder Redrow to deliver the family homes, which are planned at the south part of the site by Kidmore End Road.
But the plans have drawn swathes of astonishment and fury from residents, who say the homes will spoil the area and claim there is not enough infrastructure to cope with 260 extra families in the area.
Fundraising
KEG is fundraising, seeking £2,000 to towards campaign costs to stop the 260 homes being built on the golf course in Emmer Green.
A campaign group formed by local residents, KEG says the development is “unsustainable”.
It aims to “stop development of local green spaces at the expense of everybody who already lives, works and goes to school here”.
KEG says the 2,000+ objections is the greatest number RBC has ever received for a single planning application.
Healthcare
But the club says the move to Caversham Heath Golf Club was decided two years ago, is already underway, and will provide certainty for the future for of the club as well as retaining employment for nearly 40 employees.
Gary Stangoe, the General Manager of Reading Golf Club, said the sale of the land will bring clear benefits with “much sought after family and affordable housing with gardens, a new and exciting network of public walkways and cycleways, allotments, a country park area and soon to be announced additional leisure facilities.”.
He added: “Most importantly, however, it addresses the clear concerns of residents regarding the provision of additional healthcare in the local area which would not be possible without the proceeds from development.”
Decision
The consultation period for commenting on the planning application has now closed and KEG anticipates the council’s Planning Applications committee could make a decision in December 2020.