Residents criticise bid to rebuild house

ABOUT a dozen residents have criticised plans to build a house and detached garage in Wargrave.

Mr and Mrs Manning, of Victoria Road, want to demolish their existing two-storey home and replace it with a single-storey house with parking for at least six vehicles and an electrical charging point.

The plans also include storage for at least two bikes, an electrical bicycle charging point, a new bin storage area and associated landscaping.

Residents have objected to Wokingham Borough Council, the planning authority, about the “lack” of property boundaries, parking concerns and the impact of tree removal.

Concerns were also raised about the build being “out of keeping” with other houses in the area.

Layla Pipe, of Fidlers Walk, whose house borders the rear of the house, raised concerns about the impact of building work.

She said: “Excavation work could disturb the ground close to our property’s foundations.

“Cutting down trees, particularly large ones, can cause “heave” in clay soils, as the tree roots stop absorbing water from the ground.

“We would ask that a condition of approval is that a suitable retaining wall structure is erected at our boundary line and that suitable arrangements are made to ensure there is no damage to our property or our neighbours.”

Natalee Shields, of Victoria Road, said: “The double garage position will cause the loss of another on-road parking space, which, since the relatively recent building of Bird Gardens and the double garage on [a neighbouring property], are already scarce.”

Linda Szydlowski, of Bird Gardens, raised concerns that the bungalow could be intended for additional accommodation.

Wargrave Parish Council objected to the application due to overdevelopment of the site.

They wrote: “Conditions are requested that if approved, the garage be made ancillary to the main dwelling, and that permitted development rights be removed.”

A final decision will be made by the borough council.