Ding dong in Beenham over wedding venue plans

It’s a plot worthy of the Archers.

Plans for a wedding venue at a village in West Berkshire have split the community.

Dozens have lobbied both for and against the scheme at Awberry Farm in Beenham which, if granted next week by West Berkshire Council, will see 28 weddings a year there.

The oak-framed barn would be used to host indoor weddings and other events.

A licence to conduct civil wedding ceremonies in the barn and outside area has recently been granted by West Berkshire Council.

The venue will have a maximum capacity of 120 people.

Some are angry that the venue plans are also being used to justify the viability of The Six Bells pub – also owned by the developer.

But there are many on the other side.

“The village can only benefit from some addional visitors and potential further local employment,” said Beenham residents Anne and Nick.

“The applicants have already made clear efforts to support the local economy, increase local employment, and be sympathetic to village life from the way they have run the village pub.

“In our opinion the proposed venture would greatly improve employment opportunities in both the local community and its surrounding areas for all ages.”

“In fact the village of Beenham could benefit in lots of areas, such as improving other local business incomes, having a new community hub which can work alongside the local church and primary school,” wrote Clive and Jo Brookes.

The anti-locals are critical of the council’s economic development report which says the proposal will aid the rural economy with wedding tourism.

“The venue is within an extremely tranquil village in the North Wessex Downs AONB, close to dozens of homes,” wrote Lesley McEwen.

“It might be appropriate to encourage ‘wedding tourism’ to the wider area, but is it appropriate to encourage it where it is bound to disturb the peace and quiet of village life?

“The village and its footpaths, one of which crosses the farm, are popular with walkers, cyclists and horse-riders but the road through Beenham is really winding and narrow and any increase in traffic would cause problems on the road, much of which has no footway.

“I wonder if the author of this report had actually visited the proposed site before giving his support.

“The author of the report also fails to acknowledge that, in fact, the application is for a ‘wedding and multi-events venue’ which implies the potential for far more disruptive events than just a small-scale rural wedding.”

The applicant says parking has been provided for 70 vehicles (60 guest vehicles and 10 for staff).

“In reality there are likely to be considerably fewer vehicles on site,” it says.

“This is because the bulk of staff will be local and walk to work. Studies have shown that on average three people arrive per vehicle for weddings

“Furthermore a number of guests will use local accommodation at the Six Bells and B&B facilities and also walk to the venue.

“The proposal is for a wedding venue on Saturdays only.

“The applicant will not utilise an event day for any form of business meeting which in any event would be an unlikely demand on a Saturday.”

Others are concerned about increased traffi c.

“There would therefore be a net increase in excess of 4,000 trips annually, ie an increase of around 200 per cent, not the net reduction of 1,800 as has been claimed,” wrote Graham Bragg.

“Combined with the very limited sight lines at the access point I would strongly suggest that this simply isn’t viable.”

The council's eastern area planning committee is recommended to approve the plans at next Wednesday’s (July 5) meeting.