Hungerford Town Council declines to back objectors in home extension row

PLANS to extend a Hungerford home have sparked a strong objection from neighbours.

Critics of the project claim it will alter the rural character of the area.

But Hungerford Town Council's environment and planning committee has decided to offer no objection.

At the heart of the row is a planning application for permission to convert an existing garage at The Dairy, Stubwell Farm, off Salisbury Road.

Specifically, the project involves conversion of the existing garage to form a new living room; the creation of a new, attached single garage to the side of the existing home and installation of a rooflight to an inner hall.

According to the application form, pre-application advice from planners stated that the current proposals "may be acceptable and may be viewed favourably by the case officer."

However, Robert and Marianne Benton, who live in a neighbouring property, have urged West Berkshire Council planners to reject the application.

They have stated: "The current application before you seeks to yet again extend The Dairy almost to the size that was rejected in 2017.

"We believe this should not be permitted as it contravenes most of the guidance regarding AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and historic buildings set out above.

"To extend beyond the existing garage on the south east elevation would create a sort of domestic cul de sac, and would fill in an open space important to the character of Stubwood Farm.

"When permission for the redevelopment of Stubwood Farm was granted in 2017 we believe you rightly envisaged what we have now: a harmonious and complementary group of brick built houses, sitting well within the AONB and still resembling a farm and associated barn and dairy.

"This proposed application would alter that.

"It goes against your own clear planning policies."

The matter was considered by the town council's environment and planning committee at an extraordinary meeting this week, where it was decided to offer no objection.

The committee has previously encouraged home extensions in order to allow residents to continue living in the area rather than move elsewhere.

Meanwhile the application can be viewed in full, and commented on, by visiting the planning section of West Berkshire Council's website and using the reference 22/01059/HOUSE.