Berkshire Live, Reading (2025)

22/08/2025

Mid-twenties and cloudy on Saturday for Berkshire ☁

22/08/2025

Bracknell Forest Council has explained why England and Union Jack flags were removed by a cherry picker ‘at 5am’ in the morning.

The flag of St George and Union Jack flags have been put up in Bracknell Forest and throughout the country as part of Operation Raise the Colours activism.

Supporters of the action have called it “an outpouring of patriotism”.

Flags have also been put up near the BP fuel station in Bracknell Road, Crowthorne.

However, these flags were taken down at around 5am on Thursday, August 21.

Neighbours have discussed Operation Raise the Colours and the removal of the flags on the We Love Crowthorne Village page.

Kari Markham said: “I love seeing the flags on the lamp posts. Thank you to the people who organised it, it makes me smile. We need more!”

Andrea Joyce said: “My husband went to work early (5ish) and there was a large cherry picker with people removing the ones by the petrol station.

“It looked like a council vehicle, but I’m not sure.”

A top official at Bracknell Forest Council clarified that it was responsible for the removal of the flags as they were put up without permission.

Andrew Hunter, executive director for place, said: “The council has no issue with people flying the Union Jack or St George’s flag across the borough, in fact we have a Union Jack flying outside our office and worked with The Lexicon to get Union Jack bunting put up over the summer.

“However, we would ask people to kindly place them on their own property and in line with relevant planning permission.

“While removing flags attached to lampposts or other street furniture may seem trivial, as a public authority we have to apply highways and planning rules consistently and fairly.

“This means that flags, whatever nation or group they represent, will be taken down if they don’t have the relevant permission. This ensures we are keeping our roads and pavements safe and free from obstruction.

“The flags in Crowthorne were removed because they did not have the relevant permission – we took them down early in the morning to reduce inconvenience to road users.”

Although flying the Union Jack and St George’s flag does not require planning permission like other flags, they do require permission of the owner of the site and the highways authority.

The Highways Act 1980 states that the authority, in this case the council, can remove any items that have been put up without its consent.

Some people have argued that Operation Raise the Colours has made them feel uncomfortable due to possible links with ‘the far right’.

The political party Britain First has allegedly co-opted the campaign, according to the Socialist Worker.

Britain First has faced accusations of Islamophobia and antisemitism. Its rallies in Manchester and Birmingham earlier this year saw hundreds of people march with Union Jack and St George’s Cross flags.

✍Original copy via Local Democracy Service by James Aldridge

22/08/2025

A new premises licence application to sell alcohol at a Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant in Windsor has been submitted to the Royal Borough.

C&O Turkish Restaurant is a new restaurant that is due to open at 109-110 Peascod Street in Windsor.

Its page says it will also act as a cocktail bar and serve ‘authentic Turkish flavours’ daily, including kebabs, mezes and desserts.

A licensing application has been submitted by Cihan Dal to be able to sell alcohol in the new sit-down restaurant.

Plans show the restaurant will include a dining area on the ground floor with the basement also providing extra seating for customers.

An outdoor seating area is also proposed,

Proposed opening hours for the restaurant are 9am to 11pm from Monday to Thursday and on Sunday.

The restaurant will have extended opening hours on Friday and Saturday, from 9am until midnight, including on bank holidays and public holidays.

The applicant is looking to sell alcohol between 11am and 11pm on weekdays and Sundays, and from 11am until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Plans also include the provision of late-night refreshments until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Licensing requirements include ensuring that the licensees meet their obligations and put in measures to make the location is safe for the public.

For example, licence holders must prevent crime and disorder and public nuisance by having CCTV operate on the premises at all times.

Children should also be kept away from harm and the public’s safety should be ensured as part of the licensing rules.

A decision about the licensing application has not been reached.

✍Original copy via Local Democracy Service by Elena Chiujdea
📸Pixabay

22/08/2025

The developer behind the quashed Eagle Quarter Kennet Centre redevelopment says the planning inspector’s rejection of their appeal into West Berkshire Council’s refusal of the scheme is good news for its other plans.

The inspector said the design of the various blocks of buy to rent flats would be “overly dominant” and would “jarringly stand out against the skyline”.

“I am disappointed with the decision,” said Lochailort director Hugo Haig. “It just goes to show that we all can look at things differently.

“I don’t think it helped that I had submitted a volumetrically different scheme whilst at appeal.

“But what the decision does do is reinforce the merits of the Old Town proposal, and it reinforces the positive affirmation of the scheme by Heritage England.“

Conservationists at the Newbury Society, who had launched petitions, as well as a robust defence of Newbury’s heritage being ruined by the plans, has applauded the decision yesterday (Thursday) by the government inspector, who heard evidence for and against the scheme at an appeal hearing in Newbury.

In fact, the inspector’s report was ultimately damning of the design.

“Despite the Weavers Yard development opposite the blocks either side of the new north/south route would also be the largest buildings by some margin along Market Street,” it said.

“The existing facades are referred to as ‘impermeable’ and ‘faceless’ but this would be replaced by overly repetitive window arrangements giving too much vertical emphasis that for such an important gateway would result in an institutional appearance on buildings of significant height.

“Sited directly on the street frontage and over such wide and box like buildings the appearance of Blocks S and D would be uninspiring and appears justified on the basis of other modern developments opposite.

“Rather than creating a strong identity it is the very type of ‘of its time’ modern architecture that has been allowed in and around the conservation area that are not as positive contributors as perhaps once intended or envisaged.”

The council’s decision notice to refuse the application prompting the appeal set out a total of six reasons for refusal.

The inspector said there were two themes to his inquiry: Whether the proposal would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Newbury Town Conservation Area (NTCA) and the effect of the proposal on the setting of listed buildings.

And the effect of the proposal on the living conditions of future occupiers, with particular regard to noise and the provision of acceptable private amenity space.

“For the vast majority of people, heritage is something which is enjoyed kinetically as people move through and around places,” the inspector added.

“It is often only the more committed heritage enthusiast or inquiry witness who will study heritage assets in much greater detail than this and I have very lengthy and detailed analysis before me, including from two Rule 6 parties.

“I have been mindful of this in coming to my findings but have not found it necessary to address every single academic or other point made in evidence and at the inquiry, focusing on those matters that remain in dispute between the parties and on which my considerations turn.

“The scale and height of the blocks looming behind would dominate the townscape in views from Bear Lane.

“The design may well bring to mind an industrial past and was the intention but I am not convinced it is suitably reflective of Newbury’s because such blocks would not be read or seen as part of the former industrial uses and buildings on the site or in the immediate area.”

The developer Lochailort said the decision was “a little depressing” but good news for its other plans for the plot called Old Town.

Old Town – which is a low level individually styled mews house quarter – is currently lodged with the planning department at West Berkshire Council, but is yet to be assessed.

✍Original copy via Local Democracy Service by Niki Hinman

22/08/2025

Planners have turned down an application for a poultry unit housing up to 32,000 egg-laying hens in the floodplain of a “precious” chalk stream.

Campaigners and local groups welcomed the decision by West Berkshire Council to reject the application for the new building that would house free-range chickens, over concerns it would harm the River Kennet.

West Berkshire Council refused planning permission on the grounds it would result in “significant harm” to protected areas on the Kennet and Lambourn rivers and their floodplains, with potentially harmful effects from nutrient pollution from the chickens.

The site near Newbury, belonging to Sir Richard Sutton Limited, is close to the River Kennet Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and connected through the water system to several Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), officials said.

The Kennet is one of England’s important chalk streams, which with their clear, flowing water fed from underground chalk aquifers and springs, provide habitat for an array of wildlife as well as water resources for people.

There are only around 200 in the world, most of them found in the southern half of England, making them an internationally rare habitat.

But campaigners warn the river, home to fish such as trout and grayling, is already under pressure from both sewage and agricultural pollution, as well as habitat degradation, and the potential increase in runoff from chicken manure could further degrade its ecological health.

Martin Salter, head of policy at the Angling Trust, welcomed the decision to refuse the development, which would have replaced existing free-range hen sheds housing 12,000 birds, as he warned of the wider issue of poultry polluting England’s rivers.

Mr Salter, a long-time Kennet angler, said: “It’s been a long, hard campaign but I’m so pleased that common sense has finally prevailed and those of us who love and cherish Berkshire’s most famous chalk stream can breathe a sigh of relief.”

And he said: “Phosphate pollution from agriculture in general, and chicken production specifically, is now a major cause of pollution in many of our rivers with now only 14% of them meeting good ecological status under the Water Framework Directive.”

He warned of a “massive nationwide increase in chicken production” in recent years, and said: “The Angling Trust hopes that this decision demonstrates that it is possible to fight back against locating these highly toxic poultry units anywhere that puts our precious rivers at further risk.”

The issue of nutrient pollution from poultry production affects other rivers, most notably the Wye and its tributaries in England and Wales, prompting legal action and calls to prevent any further expansion of intensive chicken farms in at-risk catchments.

✍Original copy via Press Association by By Emily Beament, PA Environment Correspondent

22/08/2025

Today's weather forecast for Berkshire

22/08/2025

The landmark court ruling that has closed a migrant hotel in Epping is ‘being reviewed’ in Wokingham Borough.

The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex has been forced to close, with asylum seekers evicted after Epping Forest District Council obtained a High Court interim injunction halting use of the hotel on Tuesday, August 19.

The order was pursued following a summer of protest outside the hotel after news spread that Hadush Kebatu, 41, an asylum seeker from Ethiopia, was charged with three sexual offences, harassment and inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity – charges he denies.

Mohammed Sharwarq, 32, a Syrian national living in the same hotel, has been charged with sexual assault, two counts of common assault, and four counts of assault by beating.

A BBC report states that these offences are alleged to have occurred inside the Bell Hotel.

Mr Sharwaq denied the claim of sexual assault, but admitted the non-sexual offences at a court hearing, according to a Sky News report.

The acquisition of the injunction has prompted other councils to do the same.

The Best Western Plus Moat House Hotel in Mill Road, Sindlesham, is suspected of being used to house asylum seekers.

In February, ‘two to three men’ were arrested on suspicion of public order incidents in Lower Earley, with neighbours claiming the suspects were staying at the hotel.

Following the Epping ruling, the leader of Wokingham Borough Council has said that its implications are being monitored.

Councillor Stephen Conway (Liberal Democrats, Twyford, Ruscombe & Hurst) said: “Following the Epping Forest injunction, we are reviewing the legal and planning implications. We are also reviewing any actions taken by the government on the decision.

“Wokingham Borough is a strong and welcoming community. We are a place of kindness with a high level of community cohesion and a strong sense of community.

“We are working towards being a borough where people trust and respect each other and where everyone feels they belong.

“We will update our community when we know more.”

The High Court injunction was justified as Epping Forest District Council argued that the owners of the hotel should have sought planning permission to change the use of the building.

Planning permission for the usage of a building is required to determine its impact on the surrounding area, which includes the amenity of neighbours, traffic implications and other considerations.

It is understood that the Best Western Plus Moat House is the only hotel being used to house asylum seekers in Wokingham Borough.

Earlier this year, Yuan Yang, the Labour for Earley and Woodley, said the government is working to speed up the processing of asylum applications.

She said using hotels “is not a sustainable way to manage the asylum system.”

✍ Copy via the Local Democracy Reporting Service by James Aldridge
📸 The Best Western Plus Moat House in Mill Road, Sindlesham, Berkshire. Image credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

22/08/2025

Union Jack and the St George’s flags have been spotted in Bracknell as part of ‘Operation Raise the Colours’ activism throughout the country.

People have been engaging in the ‘operation’ throughout the UK, with supporters stating that it is an expression of patriotism.

A St George’s Flag was spotted in Rosedale Gardens, Wildridings, and a Union Jack was spotted in the Town Centre and the Parks ward.

Councillor John Edwards, a Sandhurst Town councillor, has called the action a “patriotic outpouring”.

He said this during an appearance on The Political Asylum show on Talk TV hosted by Kevin O’Sullivan, arguing it is a push back against perceptions of a ‘weak’ and “anti-British government”.

Cllr Edwards (Independent, Owlsmoor) said: “It’s a patriotic outpouring what’s going on.

“I think it’s a push back against mass uncontrolled immigration and yes, against illegal immigration and these hotels, which is quite honestly quite scandalous, where our own residents are being left behind in inadequate housing and some veterans are homeless.

“But I think it goes deeper than that as well. I think it’s also about pushing our shared identity, you know, our collective memory, our cultural inheritance.

“You know, people feel that this is their home and somehow that’s wrong now that you can’t say this is your home.”

The argument that the operation is divisive was discussed, as links have been made to the political party Britain First, which has been accused of Islamophobia and antisemitism.

Cllr Edwards said: “What gets me is this is seen by some as divisive by the liberal or the left, but it doesn’t have to be.

“This is the social cohesion they’ve been talking about. But unfortunately, it’s just not the social cohesion that they wanted. But it really is unifying because the great thing about the Union flag is it’s nothing to be ashamed of, and the same for the St. George’s flag. They belong to all of us. They represent equality and freedom and sacrifice.”

He also mentioned a motion he has introduced at Sandhurst Town Council to permanently fly the Union Jack at the Memorial Park.

It is predicted that the motion will be discussed at a town council meeting next month.

Cllr Edwards said: “Even that attracted the usual suspects saying it was divisive. I even had someone call me racist for suggesting that we should fly our union flag. So, the double standards are there for everyone to see.”

He added that residents had been “so supportive” of the operation, and claimed that posts on Facebook groups of people sharing photos of the flags were being deleted by admins.

Cllr Edwards spoke on Talk TV on Wednesday, August 20.

The St George’s Flag became the symbol of England in 1348, when St George was made the patron saint of the country by King Edward III.

The Union Jack was created in 1606 when the kingdoms of England and Scotland united under King James I.

✍ Copy via the Local Democracy Reporting Service by James Aldridge
📸 A Union Jack spotted during the Operation Raise the Colours action in the town centre and the parks area of Bracknell. Image credit: UGC/Councillor John Edwards

22/08/2025

The six unitary councils in Berkshire are set to create a role for a new top official with a £155,000 per year salary.

The Berkshire Prosperity Board was created in June last year to drive economic prosperity across the county and coordinate strategies, including devolution, on a Berkshire-wide level.

Interviews are taking place this week for the role, and West Berkshire leader Jeff Brooks is on the panel.

Meanwhile, talks continue on a mayoral authority level as part of the Government’s local government reform plans.

“Swindon has come calling,” said West Berkshire Council leader Jeff Brooks, who confirmed economic investigations into the viability of Swindon joining the M4 gang are ongoing.

“We are comfortable with Oxfordshire and Berkshire but not sure that Swindon and Buckinghamshire have the right shape for us,” he said.

“Also, Bucks is possibly going for a second tier authority approach with no mayor, but the Government may tell them otherwise on that.”

The Government wants small and medium-size top tier councils such as West Berkshire, Swindon, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire County Council to co-operate to create larger strategic authorities.

These new authorities, probably led by a directly elected mayor, won’t replace the councils or take their powers, but they will have extra powers over strategic infrastructure transport, training and skills – with the new authorities mainly being concerned with economic development.

Swindon has been talking with councils in the South West; Wiltshire, Somerset, Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole – who already have a proposal for a Heart of Wessex authority – and also with Oxfordshire and Berkshire councils about a strategic authority focussing on the development of the M4 corridor region.

The apparent lack of enthusiasm of councils in Oxfordshire for Swindon to join them in a Mayoral Strategic Authority has not dented the confidence of Swindon Borough Council leader Jim Robbins, who thinks an agreement with councils along the M4 corridor is the best choice for the town, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

But Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet agreed earlier this year that: “As the constituent member of any future Mayoral County Combined Authority, the cabinet’s preferred geography for a Mayoral Strategic Authority is Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.”

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils have also said they would prefer a strategic authority which includes Oxfordshire and Berkshire, but not Swindon.

But councillor Robbins says he still thinks that a M4 corridor deal is best for Swindon, and is confident that one can be achieved, not least because under the terms of the devolution deal, Oxfordshire councils will be re-organised into one unitary authority – similar to Swindon and Wiltshire councils.

Meanwhile, an initial proposal has been submitted on behalf of West Berkshire Council and the district councils in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse for the creation of a new unitary council that would see the three areas combined.

The move is in response to a government invitation following its announcement in December 2024 to end two-tier authorities like those in Oxfordshire.

As part of the shake-up of local councils, the Government has also indicated all unitary authorities will need to serve around 500,000 residents or more, which will require West Berkshire Council – which covers around 170,000 people – to merge with neighbouring councils.

Ridgeway Council forms one half of a two-unitary council proposal for Oxfordshire, with the other half made up from the district council areas of West Oxfordshire, Oxford City and Cherwell.

West Oxfordshire District Council and Cherwell District Council have confirmed they will be developing the North Oxfordshire Council half of the proposal, strongly complementing the Ridgeway Council work being carried out by West Berkshire, South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse, coming together to create a proposal for two unitaries covering what is currently Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.

The council groupings hope to submit both the unitary authority plans and the wider mayoral one in November.

Copy via the Local Democracy Reporting Service by Niki Hinman

21/08/2025

Getting warmer for Berkshire as we near the Bank Holiday weekend, with highs of 26 degrees expected 🌡

21/08/2025

The Kennet Shopping centre multi-storey Eagle Quarter redevelopment plans have been knocked on the head by the Government planning inspector.

The report into the appeal against West Berkshire Council’s earlier decision to reject the plans has just been published and says the design would be ‘overly dominant’ and would ‘jarringly stand out against the skyline’.

The planning inspector also agreed with objections from conservationists the Newbury Society that the buildings would result in a major change and erosion of the character of Newbury town centre.

Developer Lochailort is digesting the hefty report, but its initial response was that the decision was ‘a little depressing, but good news for Old Town’.

Old Town is another proposal from Lochailort currently with the planning department at West Berkshire Council, which has yet to schedule the scheme into the planning committee system.

21/08/2025

A Turkish restaurant in Windsor town centre is set for a revamp after the Royal Borough approved refurbishment plans.

The building where Best Meze Grill is located, in St Leonards Road, Windsor, dates back to the 19th century.

TP Architects submitted a design and access statement on behalf of the applicants, Billal and Mehmet Kutlubay, in June this year.

The plans for the restaurant refurbishment were approved on August 12.

As part of the proposals, the rear sections of the building will be demolished and rebuilt, as these have deteriorated over time.

The new buildings are set to ‘positively engage with the historic context of the conservation area’ and keep the ‘intrinsic character’ of the replaced structures.

Its basement will also be enlarged.

Although the restaurant stands within Windsor’s conservation area, the property is not a designated asset of local heritage value.

A residential apartment stands above the restaurant, but the design and access statement said the flat will be ‘unaffected’.

Back in 2019, the Royal Borough offered the applicants pre-application advice about the refurbishment.

The council’s advice dismissed the first option for the proposals which would have involved the demolition of the rear structures, to be replaced with a two-storey addition to the restaurant and a roof bar.

It rejected this version of the plans as it would have led to ‘an unacceptable impact on the living conditions of the neighbouring properties’ due to the likely level of noise.

Alternative plans have now been approved which will see an extension of ‘a more appropriate scale’ at the back of the restaurant.

The application attracted an objection from a nearby resident who said the proposed development would ‘entirely obstruct his pleasant view of Windsor Castle’.

As part of the proposals, the dining area will increase in capacity, the kitchen will be renovated, and more washrooms will also be made available.

In its new form, Best Meze Grill is expected to welcome double the amount of customers, from 44 to 88 people.

But parking will not be offered as part of the revamp because the site is near Windsor town centre, with good access to public car parks.

The coach house, currently used for storage as part of the restaurant, will be demolished but its original form will be replicated after it is rebuilt.

As this part of the building has deteriorated over time, the applicants said they are ‘anxious to demolish and rebuild as soon as is practical’.

✍Original copy via Local Democracy Service by Elena Chiujdea

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