A total of 2,737 people told me that they do not agree with proposals to build houses and flats on part of the golf course. (This is the total number of people who completed a survey to tell me that they opposed at least one of the three different planning applications to build on part of the site).

Before the Planning Committee met, I wrote the following letter to Peter Sloman, Chief Executive of the Borough Council to oppose this development.

Dear Peter,

I am writing to express my opposition to the application to build 223 houses and flats on part of Reading Golf Course, which is being discussed at tonight’s planning committee meeting and I would be grateful if you could pass my views on to the relevant officers and to members of the committee. As you know, I support the provision of more affordable housing in Reading, however I believe that the proposed location for this development is not suitable for a number of reasons.

I am particularly concerned about the impact on traffic and air pollution which is likely from the 223 properties proposed in the application. This could have a significant impact on residents in Caversham and Emmer Green due to the increase in traffic on Peppard Road, Caversham village centre and a number of other local roads. This pressure is likely to add to existing problems on what are already very busy roads, where heavy traffic often leads to lengthy delays.

In addition, I am concerned about the related problems of additional air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles. I support the council’s work to improve air quality and to help tackle the climate emergency and I hope that new housing developments can help support these important policies.

I also believe the proposed development could have a real impact on the local environment at the site in Emmer Green. Reading Golf Course contains a large number of mature trees and other important wildlife habitats which could be destroyed or damaged by the proposed development.

There is significant local opposition to the current proposals, as there was to two previous proposals to build on the site and I would ask the committee to consider this when they meet tonight. I have contacted constituents about the proposals to build on part of the golf course through a survey run by my office. A total of 2,737 people have told me that they do not agree with proposals to build houses and flats on part of the golf course. (This is the total number of people who oppose at least one of the three different planning applications to build on part of the site).

While I and many residents oppose the proposals to develop part of the golf course site I do strongly support the use of brownfield land for house building, as Reading Borough has a plentiful supply of brownfield sites. I hope alternative proposals for housebuilding on brownfield sites will be brought forward by developers.

Yours sincerely,

Matt Rodda MP