Sterling Gardens, Hectors Way, Newbury, West Berkshire, RG14 5RQ

Planning appeal 6000887 at Sterling Gardens, Hectors Way, Newbury, West Berkshire, RG14 5RQ (West Berkshire District Council) was allowed on 19 December 2025 by Inspector Cuthbert L, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: whether condition 5 is considered necessary, relevant to the development to be permitted and reasonable, as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework 2024 and the Planning Practice Guidance.

full planning permission for the demolition of existing buildings and structures, site remediation and the erection of 167 apartments, a new link road, car parking and landscaping without complying with a condition attached to planning permission Ref 22/00039/NONMAT 2 October 2023 (later amended by 24/00099/NONMAT dated 13 March 2024)

Authority: West Berkshire District Council
Appeal type: major · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Major dwellings
Inspector: Cuthbert L
Postcode: RG14 5RQ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

whether condition 5 is considered necessary, relevant to the development to be permitted and reasonable, as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework 2024 and the Planning Practice Guidance
the effect that removing the condition would have on highway safety, with specific regard to parking

What decided it

The disputed condition failed to meet the statutory tests for conditions as it was introduced through a non-material amendment process to impose new obligations not previously considered necessary, and the loss of nine parking spaces would not result in unacceptable highway safety impacts.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: CS13CS14P1
National Planning Policy Framework: Paragraph 56Paragraph 115

How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.

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The decision letter

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The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025

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The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.