Council offers to work with hotel developers

Effort to mitigate "dog's breakfast" of budget hotel is agreed

HUNGERFORD town councillors have offered to work with developers of a controversial budget hotel.

The offer was made at a meeting of the council's environment and planning committee on Monday night.

Her Majesty's Planning Inspector Wendy Burden announced last month that she has allowed the appeal against refusal for the development of a hotel providing up to 65 bedrooms, an ancillary restaurant and associated works including car parking, landscaping and new access from the A4 on land adjacent to the Herongate Leisure Centre at Charnham Park.

The decision dismayed opponents, who included Hungerford Town Council.

However there may be some way to go for a meeting of minds - at the meeting Stephen Colloff described the current plans as a “dog's breakfast - the most hideous building, reminiscent of a ‘70s car park.”

Martyn Hopkins conceded: “It's been passed, there's little we can do; next time we need to voice our opinions strongly at such an appeal,” but added: “We now need to ask whether or not we can influence what will happen now.”

Margaret Wilson agreed: “Perhaps we should write to see if we can have any say in the design so it doesn't look so hideous.”

Mr Hopkins sugested: “We should write to them and say: ‘We appreciate you won - now let's work together and keep all the residents happy.' “They're going to be building it regardless but perhaps we can arrange a focus group with residents' representation.”

Mr Colloff said: “I propose we form a small group to look at the lessons we can learn and to find out how much influence we may be able to have.”

His proposal was agreed.