104 new homes in Theale, 14 in Speen and plans for a holiday let and extension have all gone before West Berkshire Council planners

Nineteen neighbours of a planned house extension have squared up to object to the scheme.

But West Berkshire Council planners look set to cause more upset – as they are recommending the extension on Speen Road, Newbury gets permission.

The owners of the recently purchased four-bed family home reduced the size of the extension after the objections were raised.

A previous application to change the use of the site to a home of multiple occupation raised concerns and received objections from residents and Speen Parish Council regarding the level of occupancy at the property.

The new application shows plans for additional bedrooms in a separate part of the house completely unconnected to the existing upstairs space in the property.

Speen Parish Council raised concerns over these plans as this could indicate future plans to convert this area of the property into a separate dwelling raising further issues on the occupancy of the property.

But after amended plans were submitted it withdrew its concerns.

Elsewhere, Sheepdrove Organic Farm has applied for planning permission to convert a former feed mill into a holiday let.

The application has gone in to Vale of White Horse District Council, and West Berkshire Council has been asked to comment on it.

It said it had no objections to the scheme.

The future isn't looking quite as bright for the planned 104 new homes in Theale, however.

West Berkshire's ecology team has asked for the lights to be dimmed.

The developers have now had their lighting scheme approved after putting forward a new plan to dim the road lights by 50 per cent over night.

They have also suggested putting back covers on lights which border the green areas to boundary the site.

The housing plan was first submitted in 2019 by Englefield Estates on land north west of The Green at Theale.

And plans for 14 new homes off Lambourn Road in Speen, Newbury, have been approved.

West Berkshire Council planners ticked the application from David Wilson Homes last week.

The council removed the requirement for a dormouse survey before approving the plans.

But the developers do have to report on roosting, foraging and commuting bats; badgers; and breeding birds.