A DEVELOPER has decided to submit an outline planning application to build 245 homes in Tadley despite the land being removed from the borough council's draft local plan.

As previously reported, Bewley Homes had been actively pursuing an allocation for a plot on Skates Lane property in Tadley to build 260 houses.

The proposal faced significant opposition, with a campaign group being formed to voice concerns about the proposal.

In December, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council announced that Skates Lane had been removed from the draft local plan.

READ MORE: Developer claims land purchase nullifies historic covenant blocking 260-home plan

Bewley Homes, which believes that there was nothing wrong with its plans, is now pushing to submit an outline planning application to build houses on this land.

Andy Morris, head of strategic land at Bewley said, the masterplan is now ready to be submitted to the council as a formal application.

The developer has however decided to reduce the number of houses in the proposal from 260 to 245.

Bewley is also planning to include a small convenience store in the outline application.

Mr Morris said: “Bewley Homes has been promoting the land at Skates Lane, in Tadley, throughout the local plan review and has engaged with the policy team at the council to ensure that any issues around the sites suitability were all dealt with at an early stage to secure an allocation for the local plan which is ‘available, achievable and deliverable’ within the local plan timeframe. 

"One of the greatest challenges for Tadley is the need to secure a housing allocation which is not subject to restrictions to designation from the safety zone around the Aldermaston Weapons Establishment and Skates Lane has been confirmed as acceptable in this respect.”

According to Bewley, Tadley which is recognised as the second largest settlement in the district has received no housing allocations in more than 20 years, resulting in a lack of investment in infrastructure and falling school rolls.

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Mr Morris said Basingstoke is currently suffering from a housing crisis which has seen the housing waiting list increase to more than 5,000 families, and Tadley remains one of the wards with the greatest unmet need.

“In the light of the urgent need for housing and, especially social rented homes we think it’s unwise to overlook Tadley as a suitable location for a housing allocation and it is unfair to many local businesses who rely on a local workforce who can access decent accommodation.

“Bewley will continue to promote the site through the consultation stage of the Local Plan and query any further reasons that the allocation was withheld in the light of the work the company has concluded with the planners over the last 12 months.”