Pond Close appeal overturns West Berkshire Council decision to refuse development

Pond Close residents have lost their battle to stop their Newbury cul de sac being developed.

On appeal, the planning inspector said West Berkshire Council was wrong to refuse planning permission for two more houses and multi occupancy flats for up to 12 people.

The council will now have to pay undisclosed costs to the developer.

Fourteen local people tried to block the proposal, on land occupied by disused garages, claiming it would be over development of the area.

They argued that parking spaces would be lost and road safety would be compromised, with limited access for emergency service vehicles.

“After almost 70 years, the close will be a nightmare to negotiate and live in,” said resident Lorraine Cladingboel, saying the decision will mean overcrowding, dangerous parking and loss of space for residents.

The planning inspector overturned West Berkshire Council’s decision, saying: “I am satisfied that the council made inaccurate assertions about the proposal’s impact, which were unsupported by any objective analysis.

“As such, the council refused the application on unsubstantiated grounds and acted unreasonably in doing so.

“They prevented development which should clearly be permitted, having regard to its accordance with the development plan, national policy, and other material considerations.

“I find that unreasonable behaviour has resulted in the applicant incurring unnecessary or wasted expense in pursuing the appeal, and a full award of costs is justified.”