West Ilsley grain store gets go ahead following amendments

Place Farm Partnership submitted an application in October to construct a purpose-built on-floor grain store at Folly Farm, West Ilsley – capable of storing 2,000 tonnes of crops.

The proposed structure had the backing of local residents and Newbury MP Laura Farris after promising to eliminate further travel disruptions in and around the village by enabling direct HGV access to the A34.

And now it is set to go ahead, after the local planning authority confirmed the applicant met the requirements detailed under condition 5 (written scheme of investigation), to commission an archaeological survey during foundation excavations to ensure ensure any significant findings are properly recorded.

Senior archaeologist Sarah Orr said: "I can confirm that the applicants' archaeological contractors have been in discussion with me regarding this matter and that I saw the Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) provided prior to some metal detecting and monitoring being carried out.

"The WSI and submitted report are satisfactory and no further requests for investigation are needed."

The development may progress but must be carried out in accordance with the full terms of the conditions outlined in the decision notice.