RESIDENTS are furious after signs and fencing were put up, restricting access to a ‘valuable local facility’.

Popular with ramblers, dog-walkers and residents, the Lower Way Field has been identified as a preferred site for new housing in West Berkshire Council’s Development Plan Document (DPD).

The DPD states that approximately 87 homes could be built on the site.

Developers, Persimmon Homes Thames Valley, have taken control of the site which means they have expressed an interest in building on the field.

Chairman of the Lower Way Field Action Group, Brian Ruddock, said that the restrictions should heighten Thatcham residents’ awareness on the loss of public open space.

District councillor for Thatcham West Jeff Brooks, said: “It is disgraceful that developers have taken this high-handed approach to effectively close the field to residents. It shows a decided lack of sensitivity and is unnecessary in this period where the Development Plan is being considered.”

He said he would continue to work with residents to voice their concerns and ensure they do not lose the Lower Way Field.

Bob Morgan, leader of South Thatcham & Crookham, said the developers’ action of blocking entrances was bound to draw further protests from Lower Way residents, as they were unable to walk on the field which forms part of the Thatcham Moors Nature Reserve.

He said: “There is a strong feeling over there about the potential loss of this field to housing which is valued by hundreds of people. They have grown very attached to this local valuable facility.”

After the first consultation period in September last year, more than 2,400 people signed a petition which said that the site should not be developed on until further flood defences for the town were put in place.

Residents have voiced concerns about extra vehicles on the roads and over-populated schools.

Cllr Morgan said: “Thatcham suffered very badly in the floods in 2007, so there is also a concern that a loss of this land could lead to flooding problems.”

He added: “I am absolutely certain that that campaign will continue. I think they will keep on campaigning for as long as humanly possible.”

Recently West Berkshire Council announced that the shortlist of potential housing sites would go out for public consultation this autumn, nine months later than initially planned.

For more information about the action group visit www.stoplowerwayfield.co.uk/actiongroup.html