Controversial plans by Thames Water to build 100 houses and flats on the site of the former Bath Road Reservoir in Reading will come before Reading Borough Council’s Planning Applications Committee tonight, where local MP Martin Salter will be speaking out on behalf of local residents against the proposals. Mr Salter has been closely involved in the campaign to protect the site since 1996 and has already submitted his own formal objection to the plans describing them as “intrusive and detrimental to the surrounding area”.

Mr Salter has written again to all members of the Planning Committee urging them to reject the application at tonight’s meeting. In his letter to Councillors Mr Salter drew attention to the failure of Thames Water to either comply with the existing Planning Brief for the site, which required the retention of the existing reservoir embankments, and to the lost opportunity to provide a wildlife reserve in central Reading. He wrote:

“The Bath Road Reservoir site has been undisturbed for many years and is home to a rich variety of wildlife. It clearly presents an opportunity for Thames Water to deliver their stated objective to “protect and enhance” wildlife sites of local importance. Sadly the current planning applications are more concerned with maximising the development potential of the site rather than complying requirements of the Planning Brief or acknowledging the clear biodiversity obligations that exist in respect of a site such as this.

 For my constituents one of the prime issues is the damaging impact that the development would have on the surrounding community. The scale and sightlines are clearly intrusive and made all the more so by the absence of effective screening and the proposed removal of the reservoir embankments. You will be well aware of the strength of local opposition to these proposals and the other reasons that local people have given to oppose these plans.”

Mr Salter will be joining local residents and campaigners outside the Civic Offices at 6:15 this evening (Wednesday) prior to the crucial meeting of the Planning Applications Committee.

Martin Salter said:

“The Save the Bath Road Reservoir Campaign has galvanised a large section of the local community who want to preserve as much as possible of this wildlife oasis in the centre of Reading. I am cautiously optimistic that between us we have identified enough planning grounds to enable Reading Borough Councillors to reject the attempt by Thames Water to overdevelop this site and yet still be able to defend their decision at any subsequent appeal”