Developer offers green spaces in housing scheme (From Herald Series)

Developer offers green spaces in housing scheme

3:00pm Monday 17th December 2012 in Wantage/Grove

WOODLAND and a meadow could be part of a new housing estate planned for Wantage.

Developer Croudace Strategic is hoping to build up to 85 homes on land east of Chain Hill and uphill from Orchard Way.

The planning application for the estate also includes details of new trees and ornamental planting and a “landscape buffer” of native trees.

Orchard Way resident Diana Wyatt said: “My initial reaction to a development at the top of my garden would not be enthusiastic.

“One of the attractions of being on the edge of town is that you are not overlooked. But it does sounds like an interesting design and I would be interested to see more of the plans.”

Croudace acquired the land in 2007, as “a strategic site with medium to long-term potential”.

The company’s website says: “The site... is to the south of Wantage town centre which offers a wide range of community services and facilities, thus making it a sustainable location for housing.”

Mim Norvell, of Community Action Group Sustainable Wantage, said: “We would welcome any development that incorporates environmental features. We would be interested to learn more about it.”

Town councillor Fiona Roper said: “My worry about this application is the access into town. It’s a bit far out and there’s no walkway along that very busy hill.”