Starting Gate store plans given thumbs down
Newbury Town Council objects to proposals to build convenience store opposite Robert Sandilands School
THE row over parking outside Robert Sandilands School in Speen has resurfaced again after Newbury Town Council objected to plans to build a convenience store next to a nearby pub.
Angry parents, who are still upset at being told they can no longer use the car park of The Starting Gate pub to pick up and drop off their children, have reacted furiously to the plans.
Many believe that the proposals for the new shop – submitted by the pub’s owner Punch Taverns – would increase traffic flow around the school, make parking more difficult and have a negative impact on the local shop, Brummel Road Stores.
So far more than 500 people have signed a petition against the plans.
At a Newbury Town Council meeting on Monday, consultant for Marrons Planning, Dave Prichard, gave a five-minute presentation outlining the proposals.
However, councillors unanimously objected to the plans, saying it would increase traffic around an already busy area and also expressed concerns about the lack of parking spaces and deliveries causing disruption to local traffic.
There are currently 45 parking spaces outside the pub, but there will only be a total of 28 spaces for both the shop and pub to share if plans for the store are approved.
Councillor David Fish (Con, Brummell Grove) said: “What concerns me is that it will go from 45 spaces now to 28 for both the pub and shop.
“What happens at peak times or when there is a big function or party at the pub? That will easily take up the 28 parking spaces.
“Also, when deliveries arrive it will temporarily take up parking spaces.”
Mr Prichard replied by saying: “The transport statement says there is more than adequate car parking to meet demand.
“Pub peak times are at 9pm, 10pm, 11pm on a Friday or Saturday night, that is not when most people are going out to do their shopping.”
Councillor Kuldip Singh Kang (Con, Falkland) said: “You make little reference in the application to the other store, Brummell Road Stores, which is around 150 metres from the proposed convenience store which serves the local community.
“If your shop goes ahead it could affect their trade and possibly even close them down.
“It seems you are serving your own purpose at someone else’s expense.”
Responding to those claims, Mr Prichard said Punch Taverns wanted to build the store as a way of “securing the pub’s long-term future”, adding that a shop would “enhance competition” in the area and offer people the choice of shopping somewhere different.
For years, parents have used the car park of the pub to pick up and drop off their children.
However, in March Punch Taverns put up signs warning that non-pub customers will be fined £50 for parking there, saying that allowing non-customer use would be in breach of its lease with West Berkshire Council.
The school hit back, accusing it of a lack of goodwill and compromising the safety of its pupils.
Newbury Town Council cannot make the final choice on the plans - it can only support or object. West Berkshire District Council will make a final decision on the plans in the near future.