FUTURE

In 2009, the Chilton Estate, together with its partner Southern Properties, submitted outline planning applications for residential developments on two estate-owned sites around the northern perimeter of Hungerford. Prior to this, rigorous assessments were carried out on both sites confirming that they scored well in terms of minimal environmental impact and high sustainability. Both sites have the advantage of being between the town and the M4, and on or adjacent to the A4, thus minimising rush hour pressure on traffic through the High Street.

The larger site, Folly Dog Leg Field, is adjacent to the Hungerford Garden Centre. The outline plan is for a low-density development of approximately 80 dwellings, made up of a mix of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom houses.

The smaller site is at Upper Eddington, on disused allotments surrounded on three sides by existing houses, and would provide approximately 23 dwellings. The development would be well away from the banks of the Kennet which would be protected.

There would be a significant social housing content across both sites to help meet the undisputed need for affordable housing around the town of Hungerford.

It is clear that Hungerford is, in a sense, a victim of its own attractiveness and excellent location. It has recently been chosen as one of the 41 towns in the UK for which superfast Broadband will be rolled out in the near future. It already has very high property prices and a preponderance of affluent retirees. However, the town needs some additional housing if it is to retain existing centres of employment and create new ones. This increase in economic activity will benefit everybody but will require increasing numbers of young professionals and blue-collar workers. This pent up demand for housing in and near Hungerford is well beyond the capacity of small infill schemes such as those at the former Catholic Church allotments site and the rural exception site to the South West of the town.

We consider that the two developments on Chilton Estate land, which would add approximately 3% to the number of households in Hungerford, would be on a modest but commercially viable scale appropriate to the town. This view was shared by Hungerford Town Council’s planning committee which endorsed the larger site whilst rejecting the smaller site.

Before the 2010 General Election, the Estate and its partners decided to withdraw both applications as West Berkshire Council was likely to refuse them on the grounds of prematurity. Planning regulation is now in a state of flux, but the proposed Decentralisation & Localism Bill makes it clear that the responsibility for planning decisions will become more localised, with individual communities having more say in the planning process. The owners of the Chilton Estate and its partners are happy with that prospect, as local involvement should ensure there is no large-scale development that could overwhelm the town.

Hungerford Town Council, local residents and businesses and West Berkshire Council will have to decide whether or not the town is to thrive by creating reasonable provision for new housing for younger people and encouraging new jobs. Both will require some modest development.

The Chilton Estate is part of the Hungerford community and the owners are anxious to ensure the best outcome for the town.