Concern raised over Thatcham town centre development

Creative Planning on behalf of Y Developments Ltd has applied to turn 58 Broadway, into three flats but retain The Family Bookshop on the ground floor.
It has also applied to demolish the building at the back of the shop and erect four new terraced houses and two flats on land to the rear – nine dwellings in total.
The works will mean that although the shop will be retained, it would be a smaller unit.
In a meeting held last week, the town council raised objections because: “The proposed change of use and the construction of a residential unit on the ground floor of 58 Broadway would result in a significant reduction in the shop floor space, detrimental to the viability of the shop unit.”
Waitrose, which also has a unit in the town centre, also raised concerns about the application.
Concerns were raised that occupants in the residential buildings would be disturbed by busy retail operations by Waitrose and by the general commercial nature of the town centre.
The store strongly recommended that if West Berkshire Council were to approve the plans that a condition was made that the flats were sound-proofed to protect the residents.
The site as it stands comprises a three storey building housing small office units and a bookshop, and to the rear there is a vacant site from the demolition of a fire-damaged garage workshop.
A final decision is expected on this application by West Berkshire Council by mid-December.