Victory at last for Cobbs' play barn bid

The unanimous decision by West Berkshire Council’s planning committee spelled the end of a sometimes bitter, four year battle.
Director of owners Country Food and Dining Co Ltd, Tom Newey, welcomed the outcome but queried why a July decision granting permission for the facility had been sent for reconsideration when no elected councillors had voted against it.
He said: “I’m very pleased that we received a further round of unanimous support at the district committee meeting. But some council members were dumbfounded as to why our case had been brought before them.”
Two previous applications had been rejected and a planning appeal was likewise refused. But then the team behind the venture submitted modified proposals which involved an extension rather than a freestanding building.
The application, which had once again been recommended for refusal by planning officers, was called in to committee by ward member Paul Hewer (Con).
He said: “I’ve listened to lots of people in Hungerford and it seems likely that it would be well used.”
Town councillor Martin Crane accused West Berkshire planners of stifling economic growth in the town when they refused the second application.
Those plans had enjoyed widespread public support and were endorsed by Hungerford Town Council and the Chamber of Commerce.
Mr Crane said at the time that he was “perplexed and concerned” by the planning officer’s report, adding: “It seems, to me at least, to be completely biased and in search of any reason to recommend refusal.”
After the committe’s final decision, Mr Hewer - who had spoken alongside Mr Crane to voice support at the meeting - said: “You have to conside the nearby marina development which has been given planning permission.”
Mr Hewer said he and David Holtby, his late Conservative district council colleague for Hungerford, had objected to the initial application because it involved a new building.
He added: “I think this new proposal will be good for Hungerford. I called it in and I supported it.”
Mr Newey expressed thanks to Mr Crane, Mr Hewer and other supporters of the scheme and added: “It’s been over four years in reaching this point, we’ve spent in excess of £30,000 in fees, but finally we’re there and this should never have become the battle that it did.”