Plots to stay in current location: We are delighted to announce that Sutton's Estates have submitted an amended housing development plan to the council leaving our allotments in their current location (March 2015).
PRESS RELEASE
The Benham Estate are now able to confirm that their proposals for providing new homes at Speen have been amended to allow the existing allotments to be retained in situ. The Estate first presented its proposals for the development of the block of land between the Bath Road, Lambourn Road and the A34 at a Community Consultation event held in June 2013. These draft proposals included relocating the existing Speen allotments, providing new public open space and building 125 new homes (including 50 affordable dwellings). The proposals were adopted by West Berkshire Council as one of its preferred options for new housing around Newbury when it published for public consultation its draft Site Allocations Development Plan Document in July 2014. However, the response to that draft Plan from residents, the Parish Council and the Speen Allotment Association, highlighted local concerns about relocating the existing allotments. These concerns were discussed at a meeting between representatives of the Allotments Association and the Estate in November 2014. The revised proposals are illustrated on the attached plan which indicates a reduction in the number of dwellings now proposed to about 108.
Alex Winn, the Benham Estate Manager, explained:
“The Benham Estate promotes progressive land stewardship which seeks to balance economic, environmental and social considerations to secure a long term sustainable future. The Estate recognises the importance of working with the local community and is committed to meaningful public consultation. In the case of the Speen proposals, the Estate has carefully considered all of the views that have been expressed and recognises that the allotments are valued by a great many in the community and that they make a significant contribution to the character and appearance of the area. Accordingly they have now confirmed to West Berkshire Council that they intend that the existing allotment should be retained”
The Benham Estate are now able to confirm that their proposals for providing new homes at Speen have been amended to allow the existing allotments to be retained in situ. The Estate first presented its proposals for the development of the block of land between the Bath Road, Lambourn Road and the A34 at a Community Consultation event held in June 2013. These draft proposals included relocating the existing Speen allotments, providing new public open space and building 125 new homes (including 50 affordable dwellings). The proposals were adopted by West Berkshire Council as one of its preferred options for new housing around Newbury when it published for public consultation its draft Site Allocations Development Plan Document in July 2014. However, the response to that draft Plan from residents, the Parish Council and the Speen Allotment Association, highlighted local concerns about relocating the existing allotments. These concerns were discussed at a meeting between representatives of the Allotments Association and the Estate in November 2014. The revised proposals are illustrated on the attached plan which indicates a reduction in the number of dwellings now proposed to about 108.
Alex Winn, the Benham Estate Manager, explained:
“The Benham Estate promotes progressive land stewardship which seeks to balance economic, environmental and social considerations to secure a long term sustainable future. The Estate recognises the importance of working with the local community and is committed to meaningful public consultation. In the case of the Speen proposals, the Estate has carefully considered all of the views that have been expressed and recognises that the allotments are valued by a great many in the community and that they make a significant contribution to the character and appearance of the area. Accordingly they have now confirmed to West Berkshire Council that they intend that the existing allotment should be retained”
See a Newbury Weekly News item about the allotments here (22nd September 2014):
http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/2014/opposition-to-speen-homes-turns-up-a-notch-as-packed-audience-attends-meeting
Also:
http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/2014/infrastructure-not-available-to-support-new-speen-homes-says-campaign-group
Go to http://info.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=30382 reference number NEW042.
We are an allotment site proposed for housing development in the next few years. Speen Allotment Association members voted in 2013 against this development of the current allotment site. The Committee are acting on behalf of members and are in correspondence with Sutton Estates. Another site in Speen has been ear-marked for us to relocate but this is considered by the Committee to be of inferior quality.
See a letter from the Committee below:
Dear SAA member, Proposed Development in Speen - UPDATE Since the last note (6 August) the SAA Committee has been busy behind the scenes trying to safeguard the investment we have all got in the allotments. We have sent samples of soil from the allotments to a laboratory for testing and we hope to have the results by the 31 August. We have booked the Speen Parish Hall, Speen Lane, for a SAA meeting on Monday 1 September at 7pm when we hope to bring everyone up to date with what we’ve achieved so far. This will give us another opportunity to encourage allotment holders to submit personal comments to West Berkshire Council Planning Officers. Can we remind and urge every allotment holder with access to the internet to go to www.westberks.gov.uk/preferredoptions and submit their own comments by the given date. You can make the comments on line, by emailing planningpolicy@westberks.gov.uk, or by downloading the Comments Form (copy attached). If all else fails you can write to: Planning Policy, Planning and Countryside, West Berkshire Council, Council Offices, Market Street, Newbury, RG14 5LD Please quote the reference Land at Bath Road, Speen (NEW042) and make comments as to why you believe the new site is unsuitable rather than just saying you don’t think we should move. Remember: The allotments would need to be retained or replaced by an area of equal or greater size and standard. There is no dispute that the proposed site is of a greater size but the big question remains, what is the standard? We have not changed our initial view and we continue to feel strongly that the proposed new site falls short in providing a replacement site of equal standard and that is what we are hoping our soil test results will demonstrate. Please attend on 1 September or send your comments to Colin Mansell (saacttee@gmail.com).
SAA Committee 20 August 2014
Also see below, information about the Speen Action Group:
The Speen Action Group has been formed by local residents to:
For more information, click on the following links:
http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/2013/draft-plans-fail-to-quell-concerns-over-speen-development
http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/2013/residents-have-their-say-on-speen-development
http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/2014/opposition-to-speen-homes-turns-up-a-notch-as-packed-audience-attends-meeting
Also:
http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/2014/infrastructure-not-available-to-support-new-speen-homes-says-campaign-group
Go to http://info.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=30382 reference number NEW042.
We are an allotment site proposed for housing development in the next few years. Speen Allotment Association members voted in 2013 against this development of the current allotment site. The Committee are acting on behalf of members and are in correspondence with Sutton Estates. Another site in Speen has been ear-marked for us to relocate but this is considered by the Committee to be of inferior quality.
See a letter from the Committee below:
Dear SAA member, Proposed Development in Speen - UPDATE Since the last note (6 August) the SAA Committee has been busy behind the scenes trying to safeguard the investment we have all got in the allotments. We have sent samples of soil from the allotments to a laboratory for testing and we hope to have the results by the 31 August. We have booked the Speen Parish Hall, Speen Lane, for a SAA meeting on Monday 1 September at 7pm when we hope to bring everyone up to date with what we’ve achieved so far. This will give us another opportunity to encourage allotment holders to submit personal comments to West Berkshire Council Planning Officers. Can we remind and urge every allotment holder with access to the internet to go to www.westberks.gov.uk/preferredoptions and submit their own comments by the given date. You can make the comments on line, by emailing planningpolicy@westberks.gov.uk, or by downloading the Comments Form (copy attached). If all else fails you can write to: Planning Policy, Planning and Countryside, West Berkshire Council, Council Offices, Market Street, Newbury, RG14 5LD Please quote the reference Land at Bath Road, Speen (NEW042) and make comments as to why you believe the new site is unsuitable rather than just saying you don’t think we should move. Remember: The allotments would need to be retained or replaced by an area of equal or greater size and standard. There is no dispute that the proposed site is of a greater size but the big question remains, what is the standard? We have not changed our initial view and we continue to feel strongly that the proposed new site falls short in providing a replacement site of equal standard and that is what we are hoping our soil test results will demonstrate. Please attend on 1 September or send your comments to Colin Mansell (saacttee@gmail.com).
SAA Committee 20 August 2014
Also see below, information about the Speen Action Group:
The Speen Action Group has been formed by local residents to:
- Oppose the current proposal by Benham Estate to develop the land around Bath Road/Station Road to build circa 125 houses, which is adjacent to Speen Conservation Area
- Oppose the move of the historic and community based allotments that have been in situ since the Great War of 1917
- Prevent infill developments, the residents’ long standing fear and protect a potential archaeological site
- Provide a platform for the local residents of Speen to ensure their voice and opinions are heard by Speen Parish Council and West Berkshire District Council regarding the potential development
- The group is committed to preserving Speen’s conservation area appeal, its rural outlooks, wildlife, community wellbeing and social identity. All of which as residents we are immensely proud of.
For more information, click on the following links:
http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/2013/draft-plans-fail-to-quell-concerns-over-speen-development
http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/2013/residents-have-their-say-on-speen-development
