Former Bagnor restaurant plans to turn into home get sent to government planning inspector

West Berkshire Council’s planning department has been taken to appeal for not making its mind up about plans to turn a former Michelin starred restaurant in Bagnor into a residential home.

Previously run as The Blackbird, the property was refurbished in 2017, and re-branded as Renaissant, a restaurant run by Dominic Robinson, a Michelin-starred chef.

The premises ceased trading in June 2022 following poor trade and eventual bankruptcy.

The owners took possession in October 2022 and it has been closed and boarded since.

The plans to turn the building into a single residential dwelling have been delayed by the council, who told the applicant, who had been asked for extra information, that: “This process does unfortunately takes some time as the local planning authority is facing capacity issues”.

The appeal for non determination has now gone to the planning inspector.