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New plans submitted to demolish old Scout hut in Battery End, Wash Common, Newbury and build two-storey, four-bedroom house




Plans to demolish an old Scout hut and build a house in its place have been re-submitted, much to the ire of nearby residents.

Prudential Properties first submitted an application to demolish the old Wash Common Scout Hut in Battery End and replace it with a two-storey, four-bedroom domestic dwelling in December 2022.

These plans were refused by West Berkshire Council last July due to the potential negative ecological impact the development could have on local wildlife.

This decision was met with delight from several Wash Commoners who objected to the application because they believed it could facilitate the destruction of a sizable hedge between the Scout hut and Wash Common park.

New plans to demolish the Battery End Scout hut and build a four bedroom house on its site have been submitted
New plans to demolish the Battery End Scout hut and build a four bedroom house on its site have been submitted

Prudential re-submitted the application at the end of last year.

It contains a hedge retention plan which states that the existing fence and hedge on the west edge of the property will be retained.

However, many objectors doubt this will be the case and fear that the hedge will still be destroyed if the house is constructed.

David Fenn said: “The hedge and roots on the boundary of the recreation field next to the site must not be damaged and this must be a condition of any plan.

“The recreation field has town and village green status, contains scheduled monuments and the hedge is over 100 years old and continues beyond for many metres, as viewed on Google Maps.

Several Wash Commoners still fear that the hedge between the Scout hut and Wash Common park will be destroyed if the plans are approved
Several Wash Commoners still fear that the hedge between the Scout hut and Wash Common park will be destroyed if the plans are approved

“It contains wildlife and is good for biodiversity.”

Camilla Harvey echoed this concern for local wildlife.

She said: “The hedge in question – which would be totally obliterated – is home to many wildlife inhabitants such as bees, bats, newts as well as small birds.

“It would be an injustice to the existing wildlife just so someone can put a four-bedroom dwelling there. Simply abhorrent.”

Several objectors have also pointed out that the applicant might be proposing to build on land it does not own.

Jenny Evans said: “The western boundary of the old Scout hut site – evidenced by Land Registry documents – coincides exactly with the line of the hut’s external wall.

“Whilst not a material planning consideration, this application still proposes building over a strip of land outside the applicant’s ownership (land which apparently belonged to Newbury Corporation).”

West Berks councillor David Marsh (Green, Wash Common) has been very vocal against the plans.

He stated that the plans contained within the new application are “sloppily written, inaccurate and raise more questions than they answer”.

To view the new Battery End plans, search reference 23/02915/FUL on the West Berkshire Council planning portal.

It is expected that the council will make a decision on the plans by February 23.



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