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Plans approved for bollards to be installed in front of Hungerford’s Coin & Stamp Centre despite town council’s objections

03:30, 30 October 2024

Planners have granted permission for bollards to protect a shop despite opposition from town councillors.

In July Hungerford Town Council, environment and planning committee confirmed its opposition to having 11 steel bollards installed on the High Street.

Ram raid aftermath
Ram raid aftermath

Applicant Nigel Montgomery, of the Coin & Stamp Centre, wanted the bollards installed to protect his business.

A safe was stolen during a ram raid at the shop last December.

It was the second time the centre had been targeted – it was also raided in September, 2021.

But town mayor Helen Simpson said: “We’ve got shops with equally valuable items in them that manage to keep secure via better security measures and alarm systems.

Ram raid aftermath
Ram raid aftermath

“This will cause more damage to our already fragile pavements.”

Councillor Jerry Keates said determined thieves would find methods to knock down the bollards or gain access through the side.

Speaking of the applicant, he added: “That certain person didn’t insure that property because they felt it was exorbitant.

“If you can’t look after your own property sufficiently, or have a strong room, why should it be up to the council to maintain [the bollards]?”

Ram raid aftermath
Ram raid aftermath

Councillor Richard Hudson said: “It’s more street clutter.

“It’s obstructive to pedestrians and quite narrow there already.”

But a West Berkshire Council planning officer’s report stated: “Whilst there may be some limited harm to the appearance of the conservation area though the addition of additional structures, these low level bollards will be seen within the context of the parking area which is particularly visually prominent in the general views on either side of High Street, and cars will generally screen the bollards.

“The proposal will have the benefit of protecting a listed building from ram raids and prevent the structural damage to the listed building which had already occurred happening again.”

It concluded: “This benefits to community safety and support to the local business outweigh the less that substantial harm to the Conservation Area and so the application is recommended for approval.”

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