A KINGSCLERE resident said she is “beyond belief” after reading questions in a community consultation to build 200 homes in the area.

A resident, who doesn't want to be identified, said the questions in the consultation are “very light touch, vague and rather insulting to the community given the scale and impact of this development”.

Vistry Group is looking to build new houses on a on a section of Porch Farm in Newbury Road, Kingsclere.

The consultation, which is being held online, will run until Wednesday, June 15.

READ MORE: Community consultation begins for 200 homes in Kingsclere

The resident questioned the reasoning behind holding the consultation virtually owing to Covid reasons at a time when the country has got back to normal.

“The developers have sited the 'ongoing pandemic' as the reasons for holding this consultation virtually.

“Forgive us all for thinking we could safely be in one place together with social distancing and masks if needed. Did they not see the Jubilee celebrations across the country this weekend?

“The developers know full well this development is controversial so appear to be avoiding any conversation with the public.”

The resident also said the area is being asked to grow by nearly a third in one hit, which “seems like a strange approach”.

“The village has approximately 3000 residents, three shops, no adequate central parking, whilst residents struggle to see doctors and dentists in a timely manner.

“This development of 200 houses could bring approximately 960 people to the village (based on UK average of 2.4 people per home). Kingsclere is being asked to grow by nearly a third in one hit.”

The resident said the developer has given only two weeks to provide the feedback, which seems unreasonable for people without internet access.

“Quite how residents without online access can receive the plans and respond in that time is beyond belief,” she said.

“This development is huge and sits in between huge developments happening in Basingstoke and Newbury. A very sad time.”

Meanwhile, the Kingsclere ward councillor Ken Rhatigan said he won't be making any comment on the plan or the community consultation until there is an application submitted.

"I don't look at it at all. I'm on the Development Control Committees, and until there's an application in, I won't be making any commnet on it."

Residents or interested parties can access the virtual consultation via kingsclere.consultationonline.co.uk and send the feedback via feedback@consultation-online.co.uk.

A spokesperson for Vistry Group said: “We have found by extending our consultation period to two weeks, residents and stakeholders are provided with a good opportunity to review the information and offer their feedback. Virtual consultations have been more inclusive as they have allowed for this longer response period and for us to capture responses from residents who may not have been able to attend an in-person event. Often, a response period in the past has been one day – residents are now able to view the virtual consultation over the two-week period. Our consultation questions allow comments on both specific topics and in an open format.

“We welcome all feedback – our proposals are for up to 200 new homes, of which 40 per cent will be affordable, and 1,000 letters have been distributed to residents and stakeholders near to the proposed development. As we stated in our initial letter and subsequent newsletter, to ensure those without internet access can also take part, printed copies of the materials along with feedback forms are also available on request by calling a free phone number or emailing our team directly (0800 298 7040 or feedback@consultation-online.co.uk). For those online, a virtual exhibition is currently available on our dedicated website, which has an online feedback form: https://kingsclere.consultationonline.co.uk/

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