SHOUTS of ‘save Elms Field’ rang out around Shute End before the planning meeting that green lighted plans to build on the field.

Before the planning meeting at the Wokingham Borough Council a petition with more than 1,700 signatures was handed to the council’s chief executive Andy Couldrick.

Campaigners were sent to sit in the council’s chambers after filling out the public seating in the usual meeting room.

The major development will see 101 flats along with 25 houses built around the edge of a new smaller park, along with a boutique cinema part of more than 9,500sqm of retail space.

Around 38 per cent of the existing green space will be lost under the plans.

The scheme was approved by a vote of seven to two with Bob Pitts and Rachel Shepherd-Dubey voting against the plan.

Imogen Shepherd-Dubey addressed the meeting on behalf of Wokingham Town Council, who support the application.

She said: "Due to the cost of the development there are no funds to provide affordable housing but the borough's core strategy says affordable housing should be provided.

"The  proposal is clearly not viable it seems Wokingham Borough Council are not following the standards required by independent planners in the area."

Simon Weeks, chair of the planning committee said an independent assessment had found the scheme would not be viable if affordable housing was included.

Cllr Pitts also questioned the lack of affordable housing in the scheme.

He said: "Any other application that comes forward with a lack of viability I say 'You don't have to build it.'

"One of the council's own companies is struggling to recruit social workers. Without affordable housing where the heck are they going to live?

"I'm mourning the loss of trees. What I'm struggling with is if the application is acceptable.

"I don't like a lot of this scheme but I can't find a planning reason to turn it down that would stand up to scrutiny."

Cllr John Kaiser said the council may be able to take advantage of the government's starter homes scheme that would see Westminster fund a 20 per cent reduction on market rates for the homes.

Peter Humphreys, a committed campaigner against the development was met with cheers but many of his points were dismissed as 'not planning matters'.

He called on the committee to "reject the destruction and concreting over the last green space in our town."

Mark Ashwell, deputy member for regeneration addressed the committee alongside Stan Hetherington, who organises community events in the town, and Bernie Pitch head officer for the regeneration.

He said: "The choice is for regeneration or degeneration. The procrastination over the past decades has led to degeneration of our town.

"During degeneration business slides backwards. Save Elms Field? How about Save Our Souls?

"Sooner or later we would need to send out a SOS for Wokingham.

"Our community keeps telling us to get on with this and take responsibility."

His speech was met with applause from some but booing and shouts of 'shame' from sections of the crowd.

Philip Mirfin, executive member for regeneration and ward member for the area said most people he talks to are in favour of the regeneration.

"The growth of the Strategic Development Locations mean we need to react effectively for the future of all our residents. A lot of our residents will use the town centre."