Pangbourne Road shuts for tree work

PANGBOURNE Road, which runs between Pangbourne and Upper Basildon, will be closed on March 9.

The closure will be in place between the road’s junction with Knappswood Close and its junction with Spring Close.

It will be shut between 9.30am and 3.30pm.

Trees and branches in the surrounding area are said to be in poor condition and urgent works have been ordered to ensure the wellbeing of members of the public.

Residential access it to be maintained throughout the closure, although blue-light access cannot be provided due to the narrow width of the carriageway.

PLANS have been submitted for permission in principle to build nine new homes in Headley – next to a site where plans for nine homes have already been approved.

The application – for the former sawmill site on an unnamed road off the A339 – will consider the effect of the proposed development on neighbours and future occupiers, with the design, external appearance and landscaping of the development to be considered on a later date.

The application comes after planning permission was granted in September 2019 on adjacent land for nine homes.

A design and access statement prepared by planning consultant Chartered Town says the new proposal “represents a logical extension” to the approved development, will provide affordable homes and, even though it is outside a settlement boundary, wouldn’t constitute an isolated development as it is not remote.

It also says that Basingstoke and Deane has “conceded... that they cannot at this time demonstrate a deliverable five-year housing land supply”, meaning that the proposed development should be approved to help with the lack of homes.

The statement says: “We recognise that the site is situated outside of a settlement, however, it is not remote from other settlements such as Kingsclere and Newbury, which have a range of social and economic functions.

“In the context of being ‘isolated’, the local authority has accepted development at the former sawmill ... has entirely similar locational characteristics as with this application site.

“It is also material that the site is about 1.4 miles from Greenham Business Park, which has a range of business opportunities which are in close proximity to the application site.”

The statement went on to say that in the previous decision to grant planning permission for nine homes, it was judged that the development would have no material harm to the landscape, and any harm would not be outweighed by the gain in housing and support for local services.

It argues that the same approach should be taken for the new application.

The statement concludes: “The key consideration is the lack of a deliverable five-year housing land supply.

“In short, the ‘tilted’ balance of the planning policy situation must weigh in favour of development and the development should proceed.”