Berkeley are proposing to build 2,200 homes on Hayes Farm – land that is currently considered Green Belt. In the official notice in the News Shopper, the developers also mentioned the development of retail spaces, as well as a home for children in care. 

Local Councillors continue to oppose this development, and will seek further assurances around the scope of development – especially if retail units and care facilities would be included. The application is currently being validated by the Council’s Planning Department, after which it will be given a planning reference number and a professional planner allocated to the case. Once this happens, residents can take part in the official consultation process. We will let you know when you will be able to do this as soon as we can. We expect that it will take several months before the application is ready to be decided.

Cllrs Josh Coldspring-White, Alexa Michael and Diane Smith said: “In May’s Local Elections, residents sent a very clear message that they oppose the proposed development at Hayes Farm and wish to protect our precious Green Belt land. 

“With the planning application now lodged, we will continue to work with local residents and community groups, with a view to ensuring that residents’ voices are heard, and that this development is stopped.”