Sovereign lodges appeal over Pond Close rejection

The appeal comes despite strong protest from Newbury Town Council and an abundance of angered residents who whooped and cheered when the development was refused in August.
If the appeal is successful, a row of garages and an area of hard-standing used for turning and parking will be demolished and replaced with eight one-bedroom assisted living flats.
Councillors originally objected over concerns of over-development and access problems for emergency service vehicles, supported by more than 20 letters of objection from local residents.
The appeal statement released by Sovereign described the development as sustainable and in keeping with the town’s development plan to provide affordable housing in the area, and hit out at claims that it was out of keeping with the street.
“The proposal will result in the replacement of an unsightly garage block with no environmental or ecological value,” the report reads. “Each block has been designed to have the appearance of a pair of semi-detached houses, which is the form of housing found on the northern side of Pond Close.”
Members of Newbury Town Council, however, have not had their view altered and are continuing to publicly oppose the development.
Anthony Pick (Con, Newbury) said: “Pond Close is a narrow and curving road, the passing of two vehicles is scarcely possible.
“The site is in our view an essential local resource for both parking and turning... to remove it would substantially degrade the quality of life of residents.”
The appeal is to be heard by an independent inspector, although date has not yet been set.