October start for asphalt plan appeal

A planning inquiry at which it will be decided if an asphalt plant should be built near Membury Services will begin in October.

West Berkshire Council rejected the plan for land adjacent to the M4 and Membury Airfield in March over concerns about its location and impact on the local racehorse industry.

The authority said the development, proposed by Putnam Properties Ltd, would have conflicted with its policies, like encouraging active travel. Hundreds of people had opposed the proposal.

A Planning Inspectorate spokesperson confirmed the inquiry will start on 2 October after Putnam Properties appealed the council's decision. The location for it has not been formally decided.

Some objectors from Lambourn said the lucrative racehorse industry would be damaged by poor air quality which they said could affect animals' health.

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