Plan agreed to use pub for housing

Vokins Construction, on behalf of Sutton Griffin Architects, has applied to turn the Andover Road pub and its two outbuildings into four residential units.
The 19th-century Grade II-listed pub has stood empty in recent months. West Berkshire Council’s Western Area Planning committee, approved the plans last Wednesday.
Newbury town councillor, Phil Barnett (Lib Dem, Clay Hill), said: “This pub has been a part of the heritage of this town but times have moved on and the viability of pubs is not what it used to be.
“When the application came before the town council, this was one of the issues.”
Ward member, Ieuan Tuck (Con, St Johns) said: “No one has come to me and said ‘What are you doing with the Wellington?’
“In the position we are in, if it was viable and if people wanted it as a pub, we would not be discussing it.
“People by their actions are saying ‘We are not interested.”
District councillor Hillary Cole (Con, Chieveley) said: “If people value it, they should use it.
“If you don't use it, you lose it.”
The committee approved the application.