Flats that raised concern for neighbours’ privacy in Woodley town centre have been approved for construction by Wokingham Borough councillors.

Neighbours said the flats – to be built above a row of shops on Library Parade – would overlook their windows and balconies. Others warned that they would cause a wind tunnel due to the height of the new building, and that the new flats would cause a shortage of parking spaces.

But councillors on Wokingham Borough’s planning committee said they were happy for construction to go ahead.

They had refused a previous application earlier this year on the grounds that the flats would overlook neighbouring Sandford Court, causing them a loss of privacy. But they agreed that the new plan – for 14 flats rather than the previously proposed 16 – had allayed their fears.

Yet some residents weren’t convinced. Bruce Chappell sent a statement that was read out at the committee meeting on Wednesday, June 14.

He said the plans still infringed on the privacy of his balcony opposite Library Parade. He said: “This is my only outdoor space and is used often.

“I exercise, I socialise, I sunbathe, I hang out my washing etc. all on my balcony. This would be in clear view of the development.

“I will be able to look down and see into various rooms, and they will be able to look up to my balcony.”

READ MORE: Fears that new flats could cause wind tunnel in Woodley

But councillor Tony Skuse dismissed the fears. He said close proximity to other flats “Is to be expected if one lives within a busy shopping centre. That doesn’t seem to be unreasonable to me.”

Joseph Baum from Hanslink, the company that wants to develop the flats, added that the new design included privacy screens for balconies.

Some councillors still had concerns that the new plans still didn’t include enough parking spaces. Planning officer Connie Davis said there would be ten spaces on site – five for shops and five for residents. She also noted that there were other public car parks in the area.

But councillor Stewart Monroe wasn’t convinced. He said: If you’re staff at the retail units, there’s 18 of you and there’s only five of you can park, that’s a big problem. It’s not exactly business friendly is it, to those retail units?”

The councillors voted to approve the plans, with three in favour and three abstentions.