On May 31, 2017, Vale of White Horse District Council’s Planning Committee granted outline planning permission for a significant housing development in Crab Hill, which is part of the Kingsgrove project. Located behind Charlton village and about one-and-a-half miles from Wantage Market Place, this development was originally approved back in 2015 with plans for 669 homes. However, the town council previously raised concerns during the public consultation process regarding the potential strain on local amenities, infrastructure, and the availability of green spaces. These objections also included worries about car parking provisions for what was intended to be a high-quality development.
Overall, Kingsgrove’s master plan included 1,500 homes, with outline planning permission granted for the entire project on July 15, 2015. However, further approvals, called reserved matters, were required for specific details. Since then, permissions for 865 homes have been approved or are pending approval, leaving 635 homes yet to go through the process. The developer, St. Modwen, faced a July 13 deadline to apply for reserved matters, which it stated was unachievable for the remaining homes. Instead, the company reapplied for outline planning permission in order to include an additional 34 homes, raising the total to 669.
Concerns among Wantage residents surfaced regarding the increase in housing. David Pinchin expressed worries about the area’s existing infrastructure, stating it is not equipped to support more housing and highlighting the importance of preserving green space and accommodating wildlife. He also suggested homes with larger gardens as a better alternative. Sandra Johnston raised issues about her property’s proximity to the development boundary, while Teresa Cox voiced concerns about the noise and dust pollution that could arise during construction, particularly considering the wind direction. Robert Carroll added that the development area is home to various animals, urging developers to prioritize green spaces, trees, and bushes to maintain and enhance wildlife habitats.
Despite these objections, St. Modwen’s revised application was granted unanimous resolution approval, allowing the company to proceed with the additional 34 homes. A representative from St. Modwen expressed satisfaction with the decision, emphasizing that the increased housing will still include 35% affordable homes while maintaining the original heights, density, and landscaped areas within the development.
Julie Mabberley, Wantage and Grove Campaign Group Manager, commented on the newly approved plans, raising the issue of whether the area’s community infrastructure, facilities, and services will be able to cope with the rapid pace of development. The group has been actively engaging with both the council and developers to mitigate potential disruptions to the community as the project progresses.
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