Plans for flats near Newbury nursery

Nursery owner submits plans for nine flats

PLANS to build flats next to a Newbury nursery have been submitted.

Forbury Gardens Day Nursery wants to build nine two-bedroom flats to the north of Newbury Gardens Day Nursery in Greenham Road. The nursery, based in Grade-II listed Greenham House, is part of the Forbury chain which has its main office in Wokingham.

Information supporting the application from planning agent Day Tanner Ltd says that a number of buildings have been constructed nearby in recent years. It adds that the location for the proposed flats is an ideal site for housing because it is in a highly-sustainable area.

Vehicle access would come from the A339 and a one-way system is proposed through the site, with vehicles exiting through Ashridge Court to Station Road.

Fourteen car-parking spaces are proposed to the south of the flats, along with 10 cycle spaces, and the agents say that there is ample space to accommodate vehicles using the nursery.

One representation letter has been lodged with West Berkshire Council’s planning department so far.

Resident Mr Moss asked whether Ashridge Court would be made unsafe and perilous for people crossing the road, owing to the higher traffic levels.

The Newbury Town Centre Conservation Area is to the north of the site but the developer says that the flats would not have any impact on the character of Greenham House. which is owned by West Berkshire Council and used by its family resources service.

Day Tanner Ltd said that the council had previously formed plans to develop the proposed flats site for housing in or around the year 2000.

View the application by entering 15/03274/FULD into West Berkshire Council’s planning website.