Update on Housing Sites

With construction now underway on the old Wyevale site for 40 homes and 43 flats now on the market at the old Anderson House on Newtown Road, we thought it would be good time to give an update on planning sites both part of the the Joint Neighbourhood Plan and outside of this.

Old Wyevale Garden Centre, Reading Road (40 dwellings)
Beechcroft Developments obtained planning permission for 40 homes and 250sqm of commercial space on the old Wyevale Garden Centre despite concerns on drainage and piling near a drinking water source.  The new development currently in construction will be called Manor Gardens with prices advertised starting at £850K!

Anderson House, Newtown Road (43 flats)
Approved by SODC despite Henley Town Council wanting to retain the commercial space which is in the Neighbourhood Plan.
These are now complete and on the market with So Resi on a shared ownership basis.

Crossways, Reading Road (11 dwellings)

Westbourne Homes Ltd won their appeal against the decision by SODC to build 11 homes on land next to the Thames Farm site as SODC could not provide evidence in time to show their five-year land supply in October 2022. These are under construction and will be known as Charleston Place.  11 luxury homes of 5+ bedrooms.

Thames Farm (95 dwellings)

Last week three new planning applications were submitted for a reduced number of dwellings (84) and a new sustainable water drainage system which will now be built on the site as well as engineering operations associated with ground stabilisation works and a discharge of conditions for cycle, footways and vehicle access.  This is after SODC failed to make a decision on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) application in July within the deadline so the developer Taylor Wimpey chose to escalate the matter to the Secretary of State for them to make a decision. This is currently still outstanding.  Over the last 2 years, two drainage systems have been rejected by SODC which proposed the pumping the surface water along pipes which would then be dispensed into the River Harp (next to Jubilee Park) or the Lashbrook in Shiplake.  Thames Farm Action Group have been calling for a separate planning application for the ground stabilisation work and protection of the risk to the nearby drinking water source.

Neighbourhood Plan Sites

Site A1 – Land West of Fairmile (71 dwellings comprising of 51 houses and 20 flats)
Last amended plans submitted November 2022.  No planning decision yet.  Decision target date now September 2024.
Henley Town Council agreed to relocate slow worms from site to 40 Acre Field off Tilebarn Close in January 2022.  Henley Town Council have sold land to give access to this site.  Thames Properties are waiting to hear from South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) with regard to discussions on the cycle path at Luker Avenue.

Site C – Gillotts School Field (50 dwellings)
Access to the site is still not resolved between parties.  A planning application will be submitted as soon as the issue with the access is resolved.

Site E – Empstead Works/Stuart Turner (mixed home/commercial 42 dwellings)
The site promoters are due to undertake pre-application advice with SODC.

Site F – Chilterns End (Old Order of St John’s Care Home) (27 dwellings)
Land owners Oxfordshire County Council are hoping to exchange contracts with purchaser by the end of the month. A pre-application has been made in line with the housing numbers in the Local Plan.  Planning application anticipated to be submitted prior to Christmas.

Site J – 357 Reading Road (50 dwellings and relocation of Henley Hockey sports club house & Town Council Depot)
Henley Town Council owned site
A positive meeting was held recently with Sport England regarding their objections to the outline planning application (loss of playing field). A package of amended plans and ecological information will be submitted by Henley Town Council to SODC for consideration in the coming weeks.  Planning Application for new 3G pitch was approved this month.
https://data.southoxon.gov.uk/ccm/support/Main.jsp?MODULE=ApplicationDetails&REF=P22/S4620/O#exactline

Site M Phase 1 at Highlands Farm (170 dwellings)
Construction of dwellings complete however sports pitches and associated required facilities are still outstanding.
10 new homes still for sale on website.

Site M1 – Northern Field at Highlands Farm (mixed use and 110 dwellings)
To include new site for Chiltern Centre.
A meeting is scheduled to take place with the Town Council and Crest Nicholson in September.

Site X – Henley Youth Club (23 dwellings)
Various care home/assisted living planning applications have been submitted since the site was sold in 2015 after the Youth Club closed down.
The site promoters have received pre-application advice from SODC and are considering their options.

Site Y – Chiltern Centre (3 dwellings)
Waiting further information from Crest Nicholson on new site on Northern Field at Highlands Farm.