Greenham Residents Fear New Road Homes Will Harm Wildlife, Rivar Ltd Disagrees
Residents are worried about new homes near wildlife, but the developer insists it won’t cause any harm to the area
Greenham, Newbury, Berkshire, Wildlife, Rivar Ltd
Newbury: A lot of folks in Greenham are really concerned about plans to build homes near some ancient woodland. They think it could hurt local wildlife.
But the developer, Rivar Ltd, says the homes won’t harm the woodland at all. They’ve even put in a planning application for four to nine houses on a field next to West Wood.
Since the application was submitted, over 40 people have written in to object. Some residents are worried about flooding, access, and sewage issues too.
One resident even shared a poem to express their feelings about the situation. It’s called *We’re Going to See the Rabbit* and paints a pretty grim picture of a future where wildlife is nearly gone.
The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) also weighed in, saying the development could really hurt the nearby woodland. They think a bigger buffer zone is needed to protect it.
BBOWT’s Holly Gray mentioned that the land currently acts as a natural barrier between the woodland and other developments. Losing that buffer could really affect the ancient woodland’s health.
Rivar argues that their proposed 15-meter buffer is enough, pointing to a previous case where a similar buffer was accepted. They believe their development won’t harm the woodland at all.
Despite Rivar’s reassurances, many residents are still worried. They see the area as a haven for wildlife, with regular sightings of deer, foxes, and various birds.
One resident said the development would destroy important habitats and disrupt local food chains. They feel the homes are too close to the woodland to keep it safe.
Another objector called it “ecological vandalism” to build so close to the ancient woodland, especially when the neighborhood has already seen a lot of development.
Residents are passionate about protecting their local wildlife. They often take their kids out to see the animals, and they fear that this development could ruin those experiences for future generations.