RESIDENTS living close to a proposed 70 house build are worried about getting lost in an 'urban sprawl.'

On July 20 Green Planning Studio Ltd submitted plans to build 70 homes at Oakwood View on School Road, Barkham.

While details in the proposals are currently scarce, save for a commitment to include 29 affordable homes, multiple letters vigorously opposing the build have been sent to Wokingham Borough Council.

All of them express fears that the rural beauty of the area will be lost between developments at Barkham Hill 1.24km away, Arborfield Cross 0.24km away and Arborfield Garrison 0.12km away.

Stuart Kessock-Philip wrote: "Arborfield and Barkham are separated by a small cushion of agricultural land.

"This proposed development will start eating into this buffer and will set a precedent for further development which will eventually amalgamate the two villages which is contrary to the village design statements and the WBC strategic plan.

"We need to maintain the green environment in the area and do not require any more housing developments which will eventually turn our rural area into an urban sprawl."

Fellow resident Chris Sawle offered similar concerns, adding: "The land currently forms part of the small separation between Arborfield and Barkham.

"Such a development will change this from separate villages to a continuous urban sprawl on the outskirts of Wokingham.

"When we moved to our house 7 years ago, the countryside and village feel was one of the main attractions."

Public consultation on the plans opened on September 15 and ends October 13.