Public inquiry into Pincents Hill homes refusal begins

Public inquiry into council's decision to throw out plans for "eco-village" begins today (Tuesday)

A PUBLIC inquiry into West Berkshire Council's decision to refuse developers planning permission to build 750 homes at Pincents Hill in Calcot begins today (Tuesday) at the Pincents Manor Hotel.

The battle between Beyond Green, formerly known as Blue Living, who want to create an “eco-village” on the former golf course site site behind Sainburys in Calcot, and campaigners who want the site left alone, has waged since 2008.

West Berkshire Council's Eastern Area Planning Committee threw out the planning application in February 2010, stating that the application flaunted many of the council's planning policies on density and size amongst other reasons.

Blue Living lodged an appeal with the Secretary of State for the Environment resulting in the six-day public inquiry which starts at the venue from 10am today to February 25, and March 1 and March 2.

For more on this story, pick up this week's Newbury Weekly News.