Decision due on Dolmans plans
West Berkshire Council's western area planning committee will discuss four applications tonight (Wednesday)
DISTRICT councillors are set to make a decision on plans to demolish a five-bedroom Edwardian house in Newbury and replace it with eight two-bedroom apartments.
West Berkshire Council's western area planning committee will meet tonight (Wednesday) to discuss four applications - one of which is an application submitted by Charles Smith Homes to redevelop Dolmans in Shaw Hill.
The plans, which have been called in by town and district councillor Jeff Beck (Con, Clay Hill), are being recommended for approval, despite objections from Newbury Town Council and local conservation group the Newbury Society.
Vice-chairman of the Newbury Society, Anthony Pick, said it was deplorable that the historic building could be demolished, adding that it was regarded as an “intrinsic part of the town's heritage.”
However, planning officers have said that although the loss of the house was “regrettable,” the scheme would provide much needed housing on a sustainable brownfield site, in an attractive new building, which would contribute to the area itself in time.
The site, which was the victim of a suspected arson attack in August, does have an existing outline permission from October 2008 for the conversion of the existing house into six two-bedroom flats and a separate application to renew this permission is currently awaiting determination by the district council.
Meanwhile, councillors will also discuss three other applications tonight (Wednesday), including plans for the demolition of an office building in Pelican Lane, Newbury, to replace it with six townhouses.
Plans to demolish an existing dwelling on Station Road, Kintbury, and construct a replacement dwelling will also be considered, alongside plans for four three-bedroom houses, six two-bedroom houses and two one-bedroom flats in Compton.
The meeting, which takes place at the council offices in Market Street, Newbury, starts at 6.30pm.
