Unfortunately at this moment in time we only have the statutory 21 days (16^th February) to bolster our number of objections.

Basically, the amended plans show the layout of the proposed building site and the access to it.  It is intended that a single lane access with pavements will be the only vehicular access from the Sainsbury’s end of Pincents Lane with access from the metal gates in Pincents Lane as a back up access for emergency vehicles only. The main footpath running from North to South (quickest way to Sainsbury’s) will be crossed twice by roads on the development.  The Group do not think what is mainly a footpath is suitable to have high speed vehicles perhaps having to avoid pedestrians, dog walkers, mothers with toddlers and prams and occasionally horses have to hastily jump to one side.  Also, although only the residents to Pincents and other people who regularly use Pincents Lane are aware that an underground stream from a field at the top of the Lane on the right hand side runs down the Lane diagonally and the run off ends just before the proposed emergency access.  In winter this freezes.  In fact West Berks may actually be aware of this as a few years ago the stream actually lifted the hard surface off the lane and quite a large area of the hard core slipped and had to be replaced,  Accidents have happend when it has been icy, once when a small car actually slipped very gracefully into a tree, the rescue vehicle when called followed suit and a very large vehicle with snow chains finally reversed up the Lane with both vehicles in turn.  The Lane was closed for nearly 5 hours.

The plans also show the topography of the site with the intended levels and the height (one, two or three storeys) of the proposed buildings, with stepped plateaus so the natural lines of the hill will be lost.

The group’s main concerns are firstly the traffic flow from Sainsbury’s roundabout especially with construction vehicles.  A question has been asked of West Berks (so far unanswered) - what is the anticipated access for constructions vehicles and it can only be one of two ways.  Firstly adding to the confusion of the Sainsbury’s traffic, or secondly up Langley Hill, into City Road and into Pincents Lane.  Neither to the groups thinking is acceptable.

Secondly because even West Berks Landscape report said that there are areas of the development even after fifteen years growth of trees that will not be hidden and will still be clearly visible, but the new plans show that the land will be plateaud and stepped (rather like rice fields and tea plantations) to form platforms to be built on.  There are areas that will have 3 storey buildings which again may still not be hidden by the promised new tree line even by excavating and lowering ground levels.  The new tree line will be mainly leylandii and not a woodland mix.

Thirdly, a loss of our landscape, character and sense of place which will totally change the atmosphere to not only Tilehurst and Calcot, but Holybrook and the surrounding area.  It is a much valued and loved natural open space with many different habitats which makes it a unique gem in both its landscape and irreplaceable soul of the community. Especially over the past year with Covid19 and lockdowns, it has been an absolute godsend. 

Fourthly, questions asked of TOWN from West Berks have not been totally answered the answers given have been somewhat modified but various organisations like the Police, Thames Water, and departments at West Berks may still have concerns with various aspects of the proposed plan

Fifthly, infrastructure concerns such as the provision of school places, GPs and suitable access to the site.  No comments from the Council have been publicly forthcoming on schools - other than for them to say that it is ANTICIPATED that this matter will be covered by CIL payments to the Council by the developer (formerly known as S106 payments).  Another comment when directly questioned about schooling in the area was that pupils could be bussed to schools.  Also there are doubts about the powers that be actually allowing a designated medical centre.

We have set out below the heading for reply for both e-mail and post and would be grateful for your help, if you can perhaps let at least 5 others know if possible in order to reach as many people to show West Berks how much us residents value our hill we need objections to the alterations and the development to save it.

Please, we need your help to save Pincents Hill/ Thank you.

The Combined Save Pincents Hill and Save Calcot Action GroupS

Name:
Address:



Date:

Head of Development and Planning,
West Berkshire Council,
Council Offices,
Market Street,
Newbury RG14 5LD

E-mail:  planapps@westberks.gov.uk

Dear Sir,

Case No. 19/00113/OUTMAJ – Land East of Pincents Lane, Tilehurst, Reading.

I/We OBJECT to the planning application at Pincents Lane, Tilehurst (ref: 19/00113) for the reasons set out in this letter.