A CAMPAIGNER against a controversial mini-town on Winnersh farmland has expressed his disappointment after detailed plans on flooding, noise and parking, were given the green light. 

Speaking after reserved matters on the 433 housing development at Hatch Farm Dairies were passed at a planned meeting of Wokingham Borough Council (WBC), Paul Robertson of the Winnersh Residents Liaison Group said though he was disheartened to see the controversial issues passed, residents would not give up the fight.

Residents and ward councillors, had repeatedly expressed concerns about a heightened risk of flooding with a number of homes falling into flood zone two and no noise mitigation from the planned Winnersh Relief Road or nearby M4. 

Mr Robertson said: "I'm disappointed but I understand it. We don't feel as though as our concerns have been answered.  

"The flooding data is slightly skewed as it was gathered back in 2011; the development is unique as it has been such a long time difference between when they discovered it and designed it and carried out the flood risk assessment so there are a lot of grey areas.

"It is beyond all reasonable doubt that the houses are in a flood zone and the roads in the current site will definitely flood."

However, planning officers argued no homes would be within flood zone two.

During the meeting, Mr Robertson also expressed concerns that since developers, Bovis Homes and Persimmon Homes, were granted outline consent in November 2014, the layout set out for a possible primary school has reduced and landscaping was 'cutting the ground from underneath', increasing the risk of flooding, though head of development management at WBC, Clare Lawrence, said she was 'absolutely satisfied' the area could accommodate a school and developers have worked closely with the Environment Agency on flood mitigation. 

Earley Town Councillor, Bill Luck and Winnersh ward councillors Prue Bray and Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey, raised fears that construction work of the Winnersh Relief Road Phase One, including junction improvement works to King Street Lane and highway improvements works along Lower Earley Way taking place before the completion of Phase Two, could lead to a 'disaster zone'.

Mr Luck said: "With regards to the new junction, local residents are concerned about the impact on the already congested road; the use of temporary lights outside of the peak periods have already presented a bleak picture of what could be expected when the permanent lights are in place."
Planning officers said they aim 'to have the junction installed a year from now' and options are being discussed with Highways England.

Tackling fears surrounding parking and noise, they argued the development will provide a total of 865 parking spaces and 209 garages and though the nearest proposed homes would be 60m from the M4 to the south, Highways England are proposing a 'low noise' tarmac surface as part of their 'smart motorway' proposals.

The plans were passed with eight votes to one, as Rachelle Shepherd Du-Bey, objected.