Controversial plan for new village hall gets green light

The parish council’s proposal to build a new hall in the village was approved by district councillors at a meeting of the Eastern Area Planning Committee last Wednesday night (October 17).
The new, seven metre high hall is proposed to be built on land next to the Grade I listed St Denys Church, which currently has no toilet or meeting facilities.
Last Wednesday’s meeting heard how the plans for a new hall, which will be situated outside the settlement boundary and inside an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, have split the village, with the district council receiving 21 letters of objection and 24 letters supporting the application.
Earlier this year the parish council gained planning permission to turn the village’s existing clubroom into a residential dwelling, but said it would not convert the community hall until it gained planning permission for a replacement facility.
One objector to the new village hall, Stuart Logan told the meeting, a referendum should be held in the parish as to whether a new community hall is wanted by residents.
“Once the land is dug up and built on it is gone forever,” he added.
Fellow parishioner, Anne Chessum said there was a legal covenant to keep the land free of development, but West Berkshire planning officer, David Pearson said legal covenants were not a planning issue.
Mr Pearson added: “This is an application that has raised strong opinions in the village but as officers we feel there are clear reasons to approve this application.
“We have to take into account that this land is owned by the parish and has a history of community use. We feel that the principal of development is supported.”
Supporters to the application, such as Tony Ruane, said the hall would provide much-needed community facilities.
Mr Ruane said: “I believe that a community like Stanford Dingley needs to evolve in order to thrive. It’s a vibrant community hampered by the lack of a community hub.”
District ward member for Stanford Dingley, Quentin Webb said he felt as though the Sword of Damocles was hanging over the committee as it made its decision, but felt the application should be approved due to the benefit a community hall would bring to the village.
The application was unanimously approved by the committee, subject to a number of conditions, including that construction shall not start until materials have been approved by the district council.