D-Day approaching for holiday chalets scheme
Developer’s appeal against council decision to refuse plans will be held this month
A PLANNING inquiry to determine whether holiday chalets can be built around Hambridge Lake will be held this month.
Plans for the 41 chalets, which applicant Pegasus Group said were for recreational and holiday use only, were refused by West Berkshire Council in March last year.
The developer said the fourstorey 33 two-bed chalets and eight one-bed chalets, with 48 fishing stations, would create 10 equivalent full-time jobs and boost the local economy.
Objectors’ concerns ranged from the scheme being a Trojan horse for housing, light and noise pollution, ecological impact and overdevelopment at the site – on the junction of Hambridge Road and the A4.
Pegasus has appealed the council’s refusal and a planning inspector appointed by the Secretary of State will hold an inquiry, opening at 10am on Tuesday, April 13 to decide the appeal.
The council refused the scheme as there was “a host of issues”.
It said the chalets would assist the local economy, but as the site lies between Newbury and Thatcham it would not benefit the rural economy and would be contrary to policy.
Pegasus argued in its appeal documents that the chalets would be in an accessible and sustainable location, which would bring significant economic, environmental and social benefits to the community.
It added that the scheme would comply with policy through promoting tourism while creating jobs and raising
Newbury’s profile as a tourist destination.
The council said that the proposed access, from a new right-turn junction on Hambridge Road, was unacceptable and 50 car parking spaces were proposed.
The developer then submitted a new access, but said that the council did not consider this option before refusing the scheme.
Although the design was deemed “relatively attractive”, the location, scale and massing of the three substantial blocks would be visually harmful.
The scheme was also deemed to be harmful in terms of conservation and ecology, with the River Kennet and the Kennet and Avon Canal both Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
The inquiry will be held virtually and people are invited to join via Microsoft Teams or telephone to comment or observe.
People wishing to attend should contact Planning Inspectorate case officer Robert Wordsworth at robert.wordsworth@planninginspectorate.gov.uk or call 0300 444 5608.