20052021

26

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Newbury Weekly News

HUNGERFORD & LAMBOURN VALLEY

Sovereign tenants in Lambourn to move Housing association plans to sell run-down Grade II-listed buildings

Rupert joins the council

HUNGERFORD Town Council has a new member. He is 28-year-old Rupert Mills, a consultant project manager at the Oxford University Hospitals. Originally hailing from Son- ning-on-Thames, Berkshire, he and his partner moved to Hunger- ford last December, having spent the previous five years in London. Speaking of his aims as a town councillor, Mr Mills said: “I think the Hungerford 2036 Development Plan is something I can really ap- ply my professional knowledge to. “It’s probably also evident that I haven’t lived in Hungerford long, and based on the 2018 census, I’m in the youngest three per cent of councillors. “I plan on living in Hungerford for a long time, and I’m happy to go out on a limb and say I want to make sure that Hungerford doesn’t fall foul to refusing to adapt to what will matter to people in 10, 15, 20 years.” He added: “In both project man- agement, and my previous work in public relations consulting, I have been closely involved with local, city and district councils. “I want to contribute with any of the limited insight I may have into the world. On a personal lev- el, I just enjoy engaging with peo- ple and finding common ground... it’s never too far away.” A keen rambler, Mr Mills said:

they’d like.” He went on: “They’ll be compensated with a Statu- tory Home Loss Payment as well a Disturbance Allow- ance Payment to cover rea- sonable moving costs. “Their wellbeing is our priority, so we’ll work very closely with each household to help themmove to a home that’s best suited to their personal needs, situation and family circumstances.” Sovereign Housing plans to sell both historic build- ings. Mr Hensby said: “We will then invest the proceeds into additional affordable housing in West Berkshire.” College House, an 18th-century building, was first listed in September 1951. It is the former home of actor Patrick Macnee, star of 1960s television series The Avengers . He lived there as a youth with his father, jockey and racehorse trainer Major Daniel “Shrimp” Macnee. Baydon House, another Grade II-listed building, was badly damaged by fire in the early 1980s, although no one was hurt.

RESIDENTS of two histor- ic buildings in Lambourn are being evicted. But Sovereign Housing has vowed to rehome all ten- ants. And it has also promised that those residents who wish to remain in the vil- lage will be accommodated there. The homes in question are in Baydon House and College House in the High Street – both Grade II-listed buildings. Sovereign Housing re- gional housing director Matt Hensby confirmed: “The College House and Baydon House buildings, while attractive, are old and need substantial modernisa- tion. “The costs to maintain them are increasing and they’re expensive to heat, so the accommodation is becoming less desirable for current and future social housing residents. “Many of the properties are occupied and they’re also listed buildings, which limits our ability to bring them up to a standard where they’re comfortable and af- fordable for our customers.” One resident of Baydon

Rupert Mills “I’m managing a scheme for an in- tensive care unit which was fund- ed in reaction to Covid-19. “I work specifically in health- care and education, and for the past eight months, and the next three, I’m delivering a new inten- sive care unit for Oxford Universi- ty Hospitals, at the John Radcliffe Hospital.” Hungerford Town Council still has vacancies. For more contact details, visit the website at www.hungerford-tc. gov.uk

Baydon House in Lambourn

House said that all residents had been informed by letter and added: “Speaking for

myself, I’m perfectly happy. “They’ve said I can stay in Lambourn, which is what I’d like to do.” Mr Hensby added: “We’ve recently spoken with all six households about working with them to find suitable alternative housing over the coming months. “We’re already arrang- ing moves for four house- holds, and we’re discussing options with the others – which include staying in Lambourn if that’s what

“

We’ve recently spoken with all six households about working with them to find suitable alternative housing over the coming months

Station Road overnight closure to its network on behalf of West Berkshire Council.

HUNGERFORD level crossing in Station Road will be closed overnight from its junctions with Everland Road and Park Street between 10pm and 5.30am on Monday, May 3l. This closure will enable Net- work Rail to carry out repairs

A plan of the closure and diver- sion route can be found at: https:// one.network/?tm=GB122204829 All enquiries should be ad- dressed to Sunbelts Rentals Ltd on 03700 500792.

Community interest company to connect Lambourn

Sir Edward’s homes plan FOUR new homes are be- ing proposed for Hunger- ford. Applicant Sir Edward Troup wants to build the two-storey homes on land to the west of Everland Road. A design and access state- ment prepared on his behalf states: “There is clearly a substantial demand for good quality family homes in the area and the provision of the In a mission statement the company said: “The aim is simple: to encourage and nurture the great communi- A NEW umbrella com- pany to harness Lam- bourn’s community spirit has been launched. The Lambourn Junction Community Interest Com- pany was established as a not-for-profit company to “encourage, enable and op- erate community activities in Lambourn and the sur- rounding area”. Its name and logo is based on the Lambourn Valley Railway line which connect- ed the community, brought employment and prosperity and was an essential part of village life in the 20th centu- ry.

nity and businesses at this time ... the proposed devel- opment causes no harm, and brings many potential benefits to the local commu- nity and it is hoped will be positively encouraged and supported by the local plan- ning authority.” Hungerford Town Coun- cil’s environment and plan- ning committee has yet to express an opinion. Meanwhile, the applica- tion can be viewed in full, and commented on, by vis- iting the planning section of West Berkshire Council’s website and using the refer- ence 21/01025/FUL. To donate, or for more information on getting help with community projects, email office@lambourn- junction.uk or call (01488) 505050. ing the structure to allow the volunteers to focus on the projects whilst the com- pany takes care of things like insurance, health and safety, risk assessments, DBS checks, a bank account and also financial help or applying for grants for the project.” The new company is al- ready committed to support- ing and operating several local projects including the Lambourn Food Junction and the community volun- teer group and plans to set up a youth club.

NOW OPEN IN NEWBURY FOR TYRES, MOT & MORE

ENTER OUR COMPETITION AND YOU COULD

£1000 WIN

FREE ENTRY WITH EVERY PURCHASE ASK IN-STORE FOR MORE DETAILS

Volunteer Helen Noll, left, and volunteer director Cathy Brown ty spirit which makes Lam- bourn and the surrounding area such a great place to live. “Lambourn has many community spirited indi- viduals who are willing to give their time to help oth- ers. “We can help by provid-

Get up to £40 in Amazon vouchers with Bridgestone tyres Ask for more details. Offer valid 1st April - 31st May

WE ARE OPEN: MONDAY - FRIDAY 8.00am - 5.30pm | SATURDAYS 8.00am - 4.00pm Tyres at great prices visit: www.etbtyres.co.uk BOOK ONLINE OR IN-STORE GREAT PRICES ON BATTERIES, BRAKES, EXHAUSTS AND SERVICING TOO NEWBURY Unit 4 The Paddocks, Hambridge Road, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 5TQ Call 01635 953 080 SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY MOT PRICE ONLY £19.95

An artist’s impres s ion of one of the homes

is diseased. The statement adds: “The proposed development will have a positive economic benefit to the local commu-

proposed dwellings will help to address that need.” The project would involve felling a mature beech tree which the application says