Wokingham Borough Council oppose 175 homes in Shinfield Glebe

Wokingham Borough Council is opposing plans for 175 homes in Shinfield Glebe despite a decision in the High Court this month (April).

The borough council refused the Oxford Diocesan Board of Finance permission to build the homes on glebe land north west of Shinfield close to the M4 and this refusal was upheld by a planning inspector and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles in May 2011. The borough council and local residents are opposed to the housing as it would narrow the gap between Shinfield and Reading and it is not in line with the Core Strategy.

However the Oxford Diocese challenged the Secretary of State’s decision in the High Court and a ruling on one technical issue this month now means the Secretary of State may have to reconsider his decision. The High Court decision does not mean the homes will now be built and the borough council remains committed to resisting the proposed development.

The Oxford Diocese challenged the Secretary of State’s ruling on six grounds and five of these were dismissed, however one: that the Secretary of State failed to consider a Ministerial Statement was upheld and on this ground the Secretary of State must either challenge this decision or reconsider the matter, potentially by re-opening the planning appeal process. The borough council urges the Secretary of State to challenge the decision.