Plans to build 15 flats in the “gap” designed to keep Newbury and Thatcham separate are due to clear a final hurdle this evening. West Berkshire Council has given itself planning consent on part of Fir Tree School to pay towards the £10m renovation of 16th century mansion Shaw House.

If Conservatives running the council refuse to ratify the arrangement, taxpayers may be required to make good the shortfall. However, the move creates another precedent for filling in the last remaining fields separating the two towns, after the £60m hospital opened last year.

Town split on station revamp

Critics of the plans to rebuild 12 acres of Newbury town centre will find out tonight if there views will be taken on board. West Berkshire Council wants to build on the bus station and five car parks in Market Street, replacing with up to 200 flats, shops, and a plaza outside Newbury railway station.

The quaker meeting hall, local publisher Countryside Books, and social housing flats could all be bulldozed to make way for the new development, and the consultation brought up complaints that the consultation was a fait accompli, and asked for a circular route along Cheap Street, Station Approach, and then past the council offices back on to Market Street, so buses can pick up and drop off.

Another measure to put the multistorey car park on the south side of the railway is unlikely to generate enough parking to solve the loss of surface car parks.

Just 30 groups and individuals responded to the plans, with broad support for the principle, and arguments focused on parking and public transport, rather than housing. West Berkshire Council is expected to market the site to developers next month.

Plum job at police

The £15,000 a year role of holding local police to account is expected to pass to the Conservatives tonight. West Berkshire Council had nominated Lib Dem councillor Sally Hannon as chairperson of Thames Valley Police Authority for another year, but TVPA has asked for a member from the ruling party to attend meetings. The chairmanship attracts a salary of £15,000, and Kintbury councillor Anthony Stansfield has been lined up for the role.