Rejecting mansion plans 'discriminates wealthy'
Andrew Smith"Discriminatory against wealth" is how one councillor described a decision to block planning permission for a mansion in Ascot.
Real estate company Arora Management Services planned to demolish the former Hurst Lodge School in Bagshot Road to build a 10-bedroom mansion, fit with a bowling alley, three pools and theatre.
But the proposal has been rejected after Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead councillors said the property would be an "inefficient use" of the land.
Planning officers added it would fail to address the need for more housing in the borough, but councillor David Buckley disagreed.
He told councillors: "Properties of this size and people with this level of wealth coming into the area create huge benefits for the local area.
"Windsor Castle was built in 1069 and god forbid if that came before a planning application in this day and age, I dare to think what would happen."
Councillor Julian Sharpe said the plans would be more suitable for the area than a development of several houses, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
He added: "There are other houses in that road of a similar type and size and shape, so it wouldn't be out of keeping in the area at all."
'Cannot squander land'
Councillor Amy Tisi said the need for land to create more housing meant the application should be refused.
She explained: "I feel a bit like I'm sitting in a parallel universe, where people are debating and justifying a millionaire mansion being a good use of space, when we have a huge need for housing in the borough.
"It's glorious and I would love to live there, I'm sure we all would, but we cannot squander that land for just one home."
Councillors were told even if they agreed to the mansion, they would still have to reject the application as the developer hadn't submitted a survey of bats on site.
Councillor Tisi's proposal to reject the application was passed with five votes to refuse and Mr Buckley and Mr Sharpe against.
You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.