Plans to turn historic Theale pub into housing are rejected
Red Line Land Limited had submitted an application to change The Red Lion, in Theale, into three residential units, while demolishing the former skittle alley and an outbuilding to make way for an additional eight properties and a communal garden.
The applicant claimed it was clear that the pub had suffered in recent years and that it was no longer viable.
The application was met with 22 letters of objection citing increased traffic and noise, the impact on local facilities and the loss of the skittle alley.
Concerns were also raised that Theale would lose its identity as ‘The Ale’ owing to the number of pubs in the village.
However, nine people supported the application saying that there were too many pubs in the area and that they would welcome additional housing.
However, planners at West Berkshire Council have rejected the application.
In their reasons for refusal planners said that the building, thought to date to pre-1879, was an attractive example of the nineteenth century development of the village.
The council also said that the plans failed to provide an appropriate scheme of works or off-site mitigation measures to cope with its impact on the village.
A lack of provision for affordable housing was also noted,while planners deemed the proposed nine parking spaces as insufficient.