4th October 2006
Residents campaigning against the building of more blocks of flats in the Ascot area were celebrating this week after a Government Planning Inspector turned down two further developments.
Developers had wanted to demolish two houses at the junction of Sunning Avenue and Devenish Roads, Sunningdale, and put up two semi-circular blocks with a total of 29 flats and two three-bedroomed houses.
There had been considerable local opposition, and the plans were turned down by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. The developer appealed, and following a hearing at Windsor in August the Inspector appointed by the Department of Communities and Local Government has turned down the appeal.
The decision was welcomed by the Society for the Protection of Ascot & Environs (SPAE) and local residents. SPAE chairman Mr Rodney Stubblefield said :
“This was democracy at work. There was considerable opposition and co-operation between residents, the parish council and SPAE. “This is the way to tackle contentious appeals, and we are hopeful that two similar outstanding appeals in the same area will also be rejected.”
In his appeal decision the Inspector said he did not object to the principle of large houses being replaced by blocks of flats – but these buildings would be too large, cramped and out of character with the area. He also said there would be a risk to the trees and hedges in the area, and that the extra population could have an adverse effect on the Chobham Common Special Protection Area.