Plans to build up to 1,500 new homes in Finchampstead have been given the go ahead, despite residents' fears that the scheme will lead to a huge increase in traffic. 

The Hogwood Farm development will bring the total number of homes scheduled for the Arborfield Strategic Development Location to 3,500.

A new primary school, sports pitches, neighbourhood centre and road links were also approved by Wokingham Borough Council's planning committee. 

But Suzanne Sach, who lives near the site off Sheerlands Road, told last Wednesday's planning meeting: "When I looked at the public responses, 87 per cent of the objections related to the increase in traffic and congestion.

"This development is the biggest Strategic Development Location (in the borough).

"It's bigger than Jennett's Park and what I'm asking for is better solutions for coping with the traffic.

"If this area is going to become more urbanised we need better transport – things like quick buses to Reading, quick buses to Wokingham and a better train service into London.

"It takes longer to get to London than it does to get to Birmingham."

Developers Marino Family Trust submitted a detailed plan for the parks and green spaces along with an outline application for the whole area.

The council will be responsible for ensuring an extension to the Nine Mile Ride is built, linking the Nine Mile Ride to the site.

The cost of the new road, school and playing fields will be met from developers' contributions.

Finchampstead parish councillor Roger Marshall said: "We came to the conclusion that this was a development that was necessary bearing in mind Wokingham Borough Council has to meet its five-year plan for housing.

"We looked at this from the point of view of improving and looking at the detail of the application.

"We have severe concerns it's being built on a greenfield site.

"We also had concerns about flooding and we were not happy with the overall provision of bridleways.

"One area that unfortunately hasn't been addressed is in regard to the 132-kilovolt high-tension cables that are bisecting the site.

"We feel this is a potential health hazard."