September HWA planning update

There have been 45 planning applications since the start of June. These were essentially domestic or approval of details for consented schemes.

The Firs, Church Grove – the application has been modified to give it a more carefully considered –‘architectural’ front elevation and to improve the underground parking. We feel this revised application is an improvement on those that HWA objected / commented to, and are not making any further objections.

Burgoigne Quay – no news even though, formally, the decision was due last March.

Becketts Place – no news even though, formally, the decision was due a year ago.

97a High Street, now 1a Vicarage Road (ex Bonzo’s Cafe) – will be a maisonette and a flat. The HWA commented on the original application, including that the design was too fussy for a building of that size. We believe that the modified design, following a submission of details for Planning and which is being built, is a significant improvement.

Work continues on the new flats at Sanho’s / Rose & Crown despite there apparently being no planning permission in place and it appearing to be a change of use. We have been in and seen the flats being built. Like the earlier applications there is no provision for parking, which we feel is a major issue in this area. We presume that the First Floor theatre has been demolished. There is no news of a retail or restaurant tenant for the ground floor.