A CONTROVERSIAL planning application for 80 new homes has been refused after public outcry.

Residents had put forward a petition to Wokingham Borough Council against the plans to build the homes at land West of Finchampstead Road and adjacent to Sand Martins Golf Course.

Hundreds of residents objected the proposals, which were put forward by Gladmans Developments LTD.

Now, almost a year after the petition was handed in, the proposals have been refused by the council.

Clare Lawrence, head of development management and regulatory services at Wokingham Borough Council, noted that the plans were not suitable for the location.

She wrote in the refusal notice: “The proposed development is not in a sustainable location and is outside of settlement limits. This is contrary to spatial strategy and significant harm to objectives of local plan as it does not to provide development in the right location with good access to transport and facilities.

“The applicants have failed to demonstrate to the council’s satisfaction that the site is sustainable in transport terms with regards to its location and access to services. The proposed development is not within walking distance of local facilities, amenities and schools and will result in a high level of car dependency.”

More than 800 letters of objection were written to the council against the plans, and a Facebook page set up against the development had gained the support of 684 users.

Neil Willby, of The Lea, Finchampstead, wrote a letter of objection to the council.

He said: “I am very strongly against this application. There are no proposals to improve the transport links or the infrastructure in the area, neither does it support any ways to reduce travel by car.

“This is not a sustainable development. Please do not let us lose yet another significant piece of green land.”

Gladmans Developments LTD has been contacted for comment but had not replied by the time the News went to press.