Councillors approve development plans

West Berkshire councillors approved plans for development in Newbury, Kintbury and Compton last night (Wednesday)

DESPITE concerns over added pressure on residents' parking in Pelican Lane, Newbury, councillors have approved plans to demolish an office block and build six large townhouses in its place.

At a meeting of the West Berkshire western area planning committee last night (Wednesday) councillors discussed the application submitted by Pye Properties Plc to demolish Guildgate House and build six townhouses, each with two parking spaces.

Local residents and councillors raised concerns about the existing pressure on residents' parking in the area, with Gwen Mason (Lib Dem, Northcroft) also highlighting safety concerns over vehicles reversing onto Pelican Lane from the proposed parking associated with the townhouses.

However, planning officers had said that although this was not ideal, it was difficult to resist on an unclassified road, and they had recommended the application be approved.

Subsequently, Julian Swift-Hook (Lib Dem, Greenham) proposed a motion to approve the application, describing it as an attractive and innovative design in a sustainable location.

All councillors except Tony Vickers (Lib Dem, Northcroft) backed the proposal; Mr Vickers held concerns that if the new homeowners could successfully apply for parking permits in the future then this could cause parking congestion in that road.

Meanwhile, plans to demolish an existing single-storey dwelling on Station Road, Kintbury, and construct a two-storey three-bedroom dwelling in its place were also approved, despite the floor size nearly tripling in size from the original application.

However, as this decision went against council policy and the planning officer's recommendations, the plans have been referenced up to the district planning committee for a final decision.

The meeting then concluded with plans from Sovereign Housing Association to demolish six two-bedroom maisonettes and 26 garages at Fairfield and land to the rear of Newbury Lane in Compton, with four three-bedroom houses, six two-bedroom houses and two one-bedroom flats being erected in its place, providing affordable housing.

Compton Parish Council had objected to the plans, claiming that the proposed development was plain and “barrack-like”, while objector Uwe Anton said he felt the plans represented an overdevelopment that was not in keeping with the character of the village and would urbanise the whole area.

But despite the concerns, councillors approved the plans, adding that they were acutely aware of the “desperate need” for affordable housing in Compton.