Neighbourhood plan

Given that we have lost Thames Farm, are likely to lose the former Engbers site and will probably lose every other appeal, isn't time to acknowledge that the Neighbourhood Plan is a complete waste of time? Shiplake is now destined to be a suburb of Reading.

Posted by: Anthony de Normann | 01/03/2018 9:54 am

FACT. There is not enough land in the villages for 34 more houses.
FACT. New sites must be made available.
FACT. NP's only bite if SODC has a 3 year land supply.
IRONY. It's Thames Farm that probably makes that happen.
GROWN UP. Debate required recognising the facts and reflecting the MAJORITY DEMOCRATIC view.
FACT. PC Needs to support the democratic process.

I will doubtless be shouted down so will not post on this subject again.

Posted by: Peter Boros | 01/03/2018 3:53 pm

I was just writing the exact comment that Charles Wright just posted!! You are right Charles it all goes to doubting the veracity of neighbourhood plans and the weight they carry,given how they are totally ignored when it comes to controversial sites.

Posted by: Rupert Thurgood | 01/03/2018 2:57 pm

Both Thames Farm and ex-Wyevale lie within Harpsden NP boundary, so your comments about a Neighbourhood Plan are not relevant. Likewise Mount Ida. Creating the Shiplake NP is the only way to protect the villages from constant sniping by developers, and allow the Parish Council to devote their time to more useful pursuits. But we shall only get this protection if we agree to a 5% increase in number of households. There is no ideal. But the vast majority of residents see NP as the right solution

Posted by: will stevens | 01/03/2018 2:20 pm

The problem is that too many people object with stupid reasons. For instance you cannot object by saying "it spoils my view". There are guidelines on how to object but too many people obviously do not read it. I can just imagine someone in the council reading an objection and thinking to himself "another idiot complaining from Shiplake who has not read the guidelines"

Posted by: Mel Drew | 01/03/2018 1:50 pm

That's precisely what I said a few weeks ago and I couldn't agree more. It doesn't matter what we say as residents. Developers and greedy homeowners (who want to build three houses in their gardens) will eventually get what they want. Mount Ida will get permission next, refused by SODC, not in the Neighbourhood plan and never has or will be, yet, oops, whats this.?.Permission granted. Apparently you can't aspire and work hard to live in a quiet,peaceful village anymore you have to keep moving

Posted by: Rupert Thurgood | 01/03/2018 10:02 am