Campaigners against West Berkshire Ikea admit defeat

The Swedish flat-pack furniture giant’s proposal new store off Junction 12 of the M4 in Calcot was approved by district councillors in April, however those opposing the scheme asked for the matter to be referred to the Secretary of State.
But this week the government’s National Planning Case Unit, which reviews appeals before they reach the Secretary Of State, has thrown out the appeal, which was made by West Berkshire councillor Alan Macro (Lib Dem, Theale).
The new store will be 40,000 square metres, with an adjoining 1,179 space multi-storey car park, cafe, crèche facilities and a bus interchange.
The store will be built on land to the west of Sainsbury's on the site of Homebase, Carpet Right, Reading Bowl bowling alley and two empty retail warehouses.
For more on this story, including the latest from Ikea on the new store in Calcot and Mr Macro's reaction to the rejected appeal, read this Thursday's Newbury Weekly News.