West Berkshire planners have approved 32 gated retirement flats for the over-55s and a new private dental surgery in Mortimer - but nearby homeowners say the block is too tall and breaks the neighbourhood plan.
Peter Cadman, representing four objectors, warned the scheme would hit property values. "The neighbourhood plan policy says all dwellings should be no more than two storeys high; now we are having a three-storey monster which will block out our light," he added.
He continued: "Mortimer should not have buildings of more than two storeys. The developers argue that because the third level of the build is in the roof space it is only 2.5 storeys. That is not in the spirit of the neighbourhod plan. It is a total misrepresentation and to say it's just half a floor is a way of just getting it through."
The council says the land no longer needs safeguarding under the neighbourhood plan and that the benefits outweigh the negatives, so permission was approved.
Original plans included a new primary school and GP surgery. Instead, some land will be handed to expand Mortimer St John's school playing field.
New head Mark Lewis welcomed the move. "It will dramatically improve things for children - a safer and more pleasant environment and space to be outside which we don't have unless we walk a mile and a half down the road to St Mary's."
Catherine Miles of agent TA Fisher said the development answers a need for older people's housing. The developer must also pay nearly £30,000 towards extra space at the existing Mortimer surgery now the new surgery will not happen.
Graham Bridgman of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council questioned that, saying the current surgery has no room to expand.
The application covers demolition of Redwoods south of the infant school to create a school playing field, 32 sheltered units for over-55s with parking to the south, and a two-storey dental surgery with 33 parking spaces to the south-west.
A 2019 proposal for 110 dwellings, public open space and land for a GP surgery and three-form infant school was previously approved. The latest plans were discussed at West Berkshire Council's eastern area planning committee on Wednesday (September 2).
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
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