Planning chiefs promise action as 'unauthorised build continues

Now roof goes on at Upper Eddington

DEVELOPERS are finishing the roof on this “unauthorised” Hungerford build – even as planning chiefs continued to prepare a ‘stop’ notice.

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

Despite this, neighbours of the construction site have been astonished and angry to see the development continue, week after week.

But on Tuesday, planning chiefs responded to criticism that they were being ineffectual.

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.

A spokesman for the council, Martin Dunscombe, declined to answer precisely what sanctions developer Waddington Forbes Homes might face.

But, he said: “We’re still monitoring this development and working on a stop notice which will require the work to cease. These notices are legal documents which take some time to produce but we expect to have it and issue the notice soon.

“This is an experienced developer represented by an experienced agent.

“Whilst they continue to build on the site without planning approval, they are clearly aware of the risks they are taking.”

He added: “The council’s action against the developer will not be influenced in any way by the building progress that is being made, so whatever stage the development reaches, the requirements to correct the situation will remain the same.

“The consequences of the further building work will only rest with the