Council refuses proposed new building of flats in Newbury

West Berkshire Council has refused a proposal for a new building containing five two-bedroom flats.

The application, made by Knight Serrate Ltd, sought to add a new building with associated infrastructure and landscaping on land adjacent to Greenham House, not actively used by Newbury Gardens Day Nursery.

It was recommended for approval at Western Area Planning Committee on July 24, 2024.

But it has now been rejected. Why?

The original recommendation was subject to a Section 106 Agreement that one affordable unit would be included.

But as this contribution was not included, the application decision was changed to refusal.

The council said: “The development fails to provide an appropriate scheme of affordable housing or off-site contribution to accommodate the impact of the development on local infrastructure or provide an appropriate mitigation measure such as a planning obligation.”

The case officer’s report added: “The development fails to provide an appropriate scheme of affordable housing or off-site contribution to accommodate the impact of the development on local infrastructure or provide an appropriate mitigation measure such as a planning obligation.”