Green light for Hungerford development
The application was granted in the face of concerns expressed by Hungerford Town Council, at least one neighbour and by the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) conservation group.
The application by St John’s Ambulance Royal Berkshire division, submitted in March, proposed four one-bedroom and two, two-bedroom homes for the site plus associated access, parking and landscaping.
The current facility, adjacent to Hungerford Rail Station, is considered surplus to the requirements of the charity.
The site is adjacent to Hungerford Rail Station and a 20-page Noise Assessment Report, which measured train noise and vibration, concluded that both fell within prescribed limits for a residential development.
The application noted that an industrial site to the west has been sold for development and continued: “It is evident that the location site can be considered to be located within a very sustainable part of the urban area and it is well related in terms of its proximity to public transport and to a wide range of retail, employment and community facilities.”
The town council, while not objecting to development of the site in principle, complained that the design was unsuitable for the “gateway to the town,” and suggested it “should be considered in the context of the whole site, including the Oakes Bros plot, and needs to be developed in line with the Hungerford Town Plan and Hungerford Station Development Brief.”
In addition, the town council planning committee recommended that developers “revisit the scheme, looking at cross ownership development with Oakes Bros., plus a more complementary design with no timber or cedar cladding.”
It also urged developers to rethink their design materials, to avoid a flat roof and to reconsider their treatment of the forecourt planting.
The North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) group concurred with the town council’s view.
There was also a formal objection from a near neighbour expressing concern at potential noise from the car parking area and loss of the leylandii trees which currently provide a natural screen.
A planning officer’s report noted the concerns but added: “Consideration of this proposal must be based on its own merits and existing development.
“Whilst a more comprehensive redevelopment with the adjoining industrial land would be more acceptable this is not for consideration under the current application.
“It is considered that this contemporary building is appropriate to the locality and will improve the appearance of the site and its contribution to the character of the area. In terms of the AONB, the site is set below the level of Park Street and its development would not harm extensive open views of the North Wessex Downs AONB.”
Furthermore, the trees on site would be unharmed, the report concluded.