Prior approval sought for demolition of old building

An application has been submitted regarding the demolition of an old two-storey dwelling.

‘Prior approval’ has been sought for the demolition of 16 Chapel Street in Thatcham.

Environmental Health has raised no objections but said the applicant must be aware of the standard working hours for such work.

It said: “The applicant should be informed of the standard working hours of 7.30am – 6pm Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 1pm on Saturday and no working Sundays and Bank Holidays.”

The property is not listed and not protected but falls under an area Thatcham Town Council wish to include in its conservation area.

This comes after a separate application was turned down last year at the same location.

That time the plans had been for the demolition of three properties at 12 – 16 Chapel Street, to build a number of homes in its place.

The plans sought to erect nine one-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom houses behind the existing terrace houses.

It was refused by West Berkshire Council in November, despite being recommended for approval.

The decision was based on the grounds of insufficient amenities space for the retained cottages, loss of outlook from the Bupa care home, which sits to the west of the development, the effect on the living standards of occupants of the [ground floor] flats, caused by balconies overshadowing their windows and daylight to the top floor only being provided by roof lights.

Another application at this site, originally submitted in 2019, for the demolition of three existing dwellings and construction of 17 one- and two-bedroom apartments, including parking and stores, was also refused by West Berkshire Council.