A RESIDENTS’ group is urging villagers to attend a public exhibition about proposals to build 1,000 more homes in Crowthorne.

Crowthorne Village Action Group says people need to see  for themselves the sheer size of the proposed development on the site of the old Transport Research Laboratory.

If developers Legal and General get their way, there could be a 20% increase of houses in Crowthorne.

Action group representative Carole Doran told the Mail: “It is important that people attend the exhibition because it will have a huge impact on Crow-thorne if 1,000 new homes are built.

“All of the traffic will be pouring out on to our local roads.

“We know the traffic is worse at peak times and we know that the highways man has made some suggestions, but this number of homes could lead to about 2,000 more cars on our roads, which would be appalling.”

The three-day exhibition  this Thursday, Friday and Saturday is part of Legal and General’s public consultation.

The TRL has since moved to a new headquarters in Crowthorne, but some of the buildings on its old site  on the Crowthorne Business Estate are now derelict.

Legal and General has said that the old office and industrial buildings are in poor condition and do not meet the needs of modern business and are now largely empty.

Local MP Andrew MacKay has already voiced his opposition to the plans.

He said: “I am opposed to what Legal and General is suggesting.

“It would put great pressure on the local infrastructure, which would be particularly calamitous.”

Mrs Doran fears the new development would not be part of Crowthorne, but a separate community in its own right.

She said: “Much has been made of the fact it would be very much a part of Crowthorne, but it would have many of its own services so I think it could become entirely separate.

“There is a need for more housing, but the number Legal and General are talking about is frightening.

“It is too big for us to fight alone. We need all residents to come and see for themselves.

“If people go along they can make their voices heard and they will be able to get an idea about how much of an impact such a development would have on their lives.”

Jeremy Castle, planning manager for Legal and General, is confident that the majority of residents will be happy with the plans.

He said: “We believe that this brownfield site offers the opportunity for a sustainable mixed use development to meet local housing, employ-ment, recreation and com-munity needs.

“During June we held two design workshops with local stakeholders to explore the background, constraints and opportunities offered by the Crowthorne Business Estate site.

“The design workshops were very helpful in identifying the main issues and opportunities,  and we have now arranged a three-day public exhibition so that local residents can give their views and comments.

“Public consultation is at the heart of our approach and we are looking forward to discussing the future of the business estate with local residents.”

The site is close to land designated as Special Pro-tected Area, which Mrs Doran feels is another reason why the development should be resisted.

She said: “It is a stone’s throw away from the SPA. Legal and General is asking for something that is impossible as Bracknell Forest Borough Council has not earmarked that land for development.

“Another worry is that if Legal and General is given permission it will sell parcels of land to other developers, who might have their own plans. All hell could break loose.”

The three-day exhibition will begin on Thursday (2pm-8pm) at the Crowthorne Business Estate in Old Wokingham Road. On Friday it will open noon-6pm, and on Saturday 10am to 4pm.