Newbury MP wades in to Hungerford planning row

Richard Benyon investigating as unauthorised building works near completion

NEWBURY MP Richard Benyon this week vowed to personally investigate a Hungerford planning fiasco.

Mr Benyon stepped in after frustrated residents at Upper Eddington watched the finishing touches being put to an unauthorised development.

Despite repeated promises from West Berkshire Council planning officers that an enforcement ‘stop’ notice was imminent, no such order materialised.

The enforcement order was demanded by West Berkshire Council’s western area planning committee on September 2.

Permission for a two-house development at Upper Eddington was originally granted to Waddington Forbes Homes Ltd of Cookham, despite objections, in 2012.

But in June this year, angry residents claimed developers were making a mockery of the system by flouting planning conditions.

They claimed the development ignored height and boundary restrictions and introduced an intrusive stone wall. Meanwhile an extra storey has been added.

As planners broke yet another enforcement promise deadline, developers built a Gabian wall and filled it with stones, using the wall of a neighbouring property as a brace.

Now Matthew Ulry has written to Mr Benyon on behalf of affected residents in Upper Eddington, Waram Close, Linden Lea and Hamblin Meadow, stating: “We cannot understand why this is happening.

“Without permission the developers have used the wall of my parents’ bungalow to enforce their metal fencing and embankment. If there is a fire in the bungalow the access out of the garden has been compromised.”

He added: “Please help us, we are now at our wits’ end. Every time we contact West Berkshire Council, we receive emails advising that the case officer and other managers related to this planning application are on annual leave or unavailable.”

Despite repeated requests, West Berkshire Council did not respond to requests for an explanation of the latest broken deadline

Mr Benyon acknowledged that planning enforcement needed to be done correctly and could take time.

But he added: “Planning has a very clear process and guidelines. Breach those and you’re in a dangerous place.

“I don’t want to see West Berkshire ruined like other places in the country.

“I’m a stickler for process and I will be taking this up directly with the head of planning at West Berkshire Council.”