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In April 2021 we sent out an Alert regarding an appeal by Instalcom against a WBC Enforcement Notice on Instalcom’s activities at their Woodlands Farm site (off School Road) https://www.barkham.org.uk/index.php/devwatch/archive/218-bvra-devwatch-alert-instalcom-appeal-at-woodlands-farm-app-x0360-c-21-3270397
We are still waiting for the Planning Inspectorate to set a date for the appeal (Covid delays!) but thought we would issue a status update.
Residents local to the site in Wood Lane have complained about additional traffic and noise. One resident monitored a day’s traffic and recorded 171 vehicles accessing the site.  His findings (split by vehicle type) were passed to WBC but we are told that as the site activities are covered by a Certificate of Lawfulness based on historical usage, it does not have planning conditions to restrict traffic volumes (which it probably would have if it was a new planning application).
However, the WBC enforcement team do believe that Instalcom may be exceeding the allowed use under the certificate.  The WBC officer is getting legal advice from their barrister as there is a legalistic interpretation between the lawful use and a contractor’s yard.
There is still no date for the appeal hearing but when it happens it should be at Shute End although covid may still make it virtual or part virtual.
The WBC officer reinforced the position which we have mentioned before; that emails from residents are helpful to show the strength of local feeling when the appeal happens.  Please do so and encourage your neighbours to write to WBC if they haven't already done so.  You can email the generic inbox at Planning.Enforcement@wokingham.gov.uk which ensures all mails are logged and passed to the correct officer. However, if you already have contact with a particular officer you may continue to email them. This applies to all planning issues and concerns you may have.
There have also been discussions with Environment Health which seemed to have resulted in a noise reduction. Â However, we understand the noise may subsequently have risen again.
Travellers/Gypsy pitches at Woodlands Farm
Residents who have reviewed the Local Plan Update may have noticed there is a proposed site for Travellers/Gypsy pitches at Woodlands Farm – “Housing (C3 Planning Use Class). Pitches for Gypsy and Travellers and plots for Travelling Show People. Self-Build.”
This appears to be the same site that Instalcom currently occupy. We have queried this with WBC but did not get a satisfactory clarification other than it will be reviewed at a later stage of the planning process.
Kind RegardsÂ
BVRA
Please note all previous DevWatch alerts can be viewed on the BVRA website at https://www.barkham.org.uk/index.php/devwatchÂ
WBC is an abbreviation for Wokingham Borough CouncilÂ
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