He regards a planning application for 73 and 75 Andover Road as being in direct conflict with the recently approved Town Design Statement, which recommends the conservation of the ‘garden suburb’ character of South Newbury with its fine detached properties of individual design.

Donnington New Homes are seeking planning permission to demolish the two houses, just opposite St Bartholomew’s School and replace them with 14 flats. The application was recommended for rejection by Newbury Town Council, but West Berks will have the final say within the next few days.