Thatcham bookshop in dark over plans to build houses on site

An application has been submitted by Creative Planning on behalf of Y Developments Ltd for the redevelopment of 58 the Broadway of four one-bedroom houses, four one-bedroom flats and one two-bedroom flat.
The site as it stands comprises a three storey building housing small office units and a bookshop, and to the rear there is a vacant site from the demolition of a fire damaged garage workshop.
As part of the plan, The Family Bookshop would be reduced in size but retained.
Stephen Walker, who owns the store, said that the landlord had not yet consulted him on the proposals so was unsure about where he stood.
He said: “I think it’s likely to be rejected because it does not fit in with West Berkshire Council policy.
“It will be removing a lot of land from business use to residential.
That would be bad for Thatcham commercially.
“The area behind the shop used to have various commercial uses.
“It would be ideal for the development of several small shops.”
As the plans include downsizing the bookshop, which Mr Walker has run for 10 years, he said that he was now uncertain about his future there.
He said: “The application has got to be successful first – I'm still deciding what to do.
“It would be a hard decision to consider leaving the site.”
A statement from Y Developments Ltd read: “By converting the building to residential, it will revert to a use similar to its origins as a coaching inn, and there will be an opportunity in the conversion to reintroduce domestic details to the interiors.”
A decision is expected by West Berkshire Council in early October.