Victory for Tape Lane hedgerow campaign

Hurst Village Society and local residents were delighted to hear that two appeals against refusal of planning permission for an extra entrance into the field in Tape Lane have been dismissed.

The Planning Inspector, Christine Thorby, dismissed the appeal for the proposed new access a few metres north of the current unlawful access because it would “involve the loss of a section of important hedgerow and this would detract significantly from the character and appearance of Tape Lane.”

She dismissed the appeal for the current unlawful gateway created in February 2004 because continued use of the access so close to the protected Veteran Oak tree would increase risk to its health and survival.

The Inspector wrote: “I conclude that both appeals would result in the damage to or loss of landscape features of acknowledged importance and these are circumstances in which the effect on the character and appearance (of this area) is unacceptable.”

She was also concerned about highway safety, with the current and proposed sites giving little room for large vehicles and trailers to access the field, and risks to safety of school children walking in the road. The appeals would both be contrary to PPS1 (Planning Policy Statement 1) which seeks to ensure the maintenance and improvement of the local environment.

Our work isn’t done yet! We now need to lobby Wokingham District Council to ensure the unlawful access is removed, the hedgerow re-planted with appropriate native species and ditch re-opened - without causing further damage to the roots of the Veteran Oak tree.

Hurst Village Society would like to thank local residents and the Parish Council who wrote letters objecting to these proposals, attended and spoke at the appeal hearing, and to Councillor Annette Drake for her support at Development Control meetings and the hearing.