Dolmans plans approved

West Berkshire Council has approved plans to demolish the historic house and replace it with eight flats

PLANS to demolish an historic house in Newbury and replace it with eight flats have been given the green light by West Berkshire councillors.

Last night (Wednesday), the western area planning committee approved plans from Charles Smith Homes to demolish Dolmans – a five-bedroom house in Shaw Hill that was built in the late 19th century - and replace it with eight two-bedroom flats.

Newbury Town Council and the Newbury Society both objected to the plans on the grounds of the importance of the historic house, with the vice-chairman of the Newbury Society, Anthony Pick, adding that it should be protected as it was “an intrinsic part of Newbury's heritage.”

Town councillor Phil Barnett (Lib Dem, Clay Hill) also raised concerns about the dangers of the access and egress to the site, adding that the town council felt there was “inappropriate visibility” from the site.

However, councillors approved the application, with Hilary Cole (Con, Chieveley) adding that she did not feel that the whole building was an outstanding example of Victorian architecture, but was “all show at the front.”

She said: “It is disappointing to lose a house like this and it is development by dereliction.

“But I do think this [application] is better than what has existing permission [plans to convert the existing house into six two-bedroom flats, which was given outline permission in 2008].”