COUNCILLORS have been advised to refuse plans to bring 17 new apartments to Tadley.

An application from BradPlan LLP seeks to develop on land adjacent to Aldermaston Road and Boundary Place.

However, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council planning officers have recommended that the plans be refused due to its close proximity to the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE).

A report produced for councillors stated the application would have a “detrimental impact on the Aldermaston off-site emergency planning arrangements.”

In the planning statement it reads that previous commercial use of the site has not been successful, so residential avenues have been explored.

The statement reads: “The site itself appears to have been left undeveloped at the time the previous residential development surrounding the site was constructed.”

However, objections have been made by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) regarding the scale of the development, which would accommodate a mixture of one and two-bedroom apartments, as well as parking facilities.

In a statement from the ONR it said: “Due to the scale and location of the proposed development ONR advise against this application.”

However, Baughurst and Tadley North ward councillor Robert Tate, believes that the site is suitable.

Cllr Tate said: “I do believe that there is enough evidence that previous decisions on this “site” met with approval from the Secretary of State when appealed and also that the application fits comments made in the review of the current local plan made by the Inspector in his evaluation.

“Therefore if the refusal is solely on the basis of ONR comments to previous applications then this should be tested.”

A decision was due to be made last night at a borough council meeting.