Project mirrors decision made in 2015

DURING the committee debate, reference was made to another controversial, local development where developers defied West Berkshire Council planners in 2015.

In that case a planning inspector subsequently ruled that two new homes in Upper Eddington could stay – despite having been changed without planning permission and in defiance of a ‘stop’ order.

Then, in 2017, the district council’s planning enforcers said they could no longer afford to routinely investigate all planning breaches due to Government cuts.

Carolann Farrell, who chaired Hungerford Town Council’s environment and planning committee, expressed grave concern at the time and warned: “There will be people saying: ‘They got away with that, why shouldn’t I?’

“It will be seen as an open door for anyone if they think there are things that won’t be chased up.

“It seems this could be just the start of a slippery slope. It worries me greatly.”