The Save Our Open Space group agrees with the national planning guidelines in PPG17 that
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‘it is part of the planning authorities’ responsibilities..…to resist pressure for the development of open space which conflict with the wider interest’ |
We consider this to be a very special area of great value both to Tilehurst and to Reading as a whole and cite again national policy which states ‘Policies and proposals in local plans can be locationally specific. They should generally cover….the protection of public and private open space and other land of recreational, conservation, wildlife, historical or amenity value’ (PPG17). This applies directly to the allotment land. There can be few other sites in Reading to which such a description could apply.
We believe the land should be preserved for future generations, having been put in trust for the people of Tilehurst at Enclosure in 1811. There have been no material changes since 1998 to invalidate the decision of the Planning Committee that any building on the land is unacceptable.
Space, fresh air, beauty and nature as well as the opportunity to grow food, are an essential part of human needs. The allotment land under discussion should not be built on, but returned to its former use. Even whilst it is unavailable for public access it is a highly valued community asset, and not to be squandered on building.
We strongly feel that the whole of the land should remain as open space. We trust Reading Borough Council will act in accordance with its own Development Plan and with the spirit of its own and national planning policies to retain this valuable open space for this and future generations.
We therefore urge the Planning Committee to reject this planning application.