Plans submitted for larger facility for people with disabilities

Kevin Tarbox wants to build a seven bedroom residential building for people with learning difficulties at Hill View Farm in Ashmore Green Road.
In August 2012 planning permission was granted for a four bedroom supported living unit for the care of people with learning difficulties, on the same site.
This new application aims to expand on the already accepted proposals by adding a further three bedrooms, a manager-sleepover room and a small office area.
These will be built in the roof space of the original approved design so the proposed new single-storey building will comprise seven bedrooms plus one living room, one dining area, one manager-sleepover room and one small office.
Hill View Farm offers a variety of residential and daytime activities to suit adults with disabilities or those who find it difficult to function in other types of residential care.
In a statement Mr Tarbox said: "The purpose of the proposal is to provide high quality residential care, which will complete the “integrative approach” for the entire facility, as recommended by local and national disability policy.
"The land associated with it will be devoted to agriculture: an orchard and farm produce area which will expand the therapeutic agricultural produce programme which is such a successful part of the care and activities provided at Hill View Farm."
Cold Ash Parish Council raised no objections to the original four bedroom application, however, it has raised objections to this current application for the increased unit.
The parish council objected because the application would result in an over-development of the site, because it expected a higher quality design of the building and because the numerous velux windows in the roof were unsightly and out of keeping.
One resident, Colin Hagger, who lives in Henwick, also raised concerns to the plans on the grounds that new buildings could encroach on to the "buffering" land between Ashmore Green and Henwick which is designed to separate the two areas.
He said: "I was under the understanding that these zones were to be protected so as to avoid villages eventually losing their identity.
"Whilst I acknowledge the admirable proposal of the building, I feel that to allow its construction would set a dangerous precedent."
A final decision is expected by West Berkshire Council by late February.