Nine more executive flats are to be squeezed on to the former Newbury College site, prompting complaints from new tenants. The College Mews scheme was originally 127 homes, but David Wilson Homes has already added 40, after intervention from Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott. Now, the housebuilder wants to replace two homes it can build with a block of nine flats, prompting cries of “too much” from neighbours. The scheme is to be approved on Wednesday.

Business voice leaves town

West Berkshire Chamber of Commerce has moved out of town amid parking worries. The business lobbyists have swapped their office in Park Street for offices at New Greenham Park. Chamber spokesman Roger Hunter is on a membership drive, and wants potential recruits to have somewhere to park. “Being just outside the town centre means that I am much more accessible”, he said.

Crashes keep firefighters busy

Newbury firefighters have been called to almost 20 per cent more calls this summer, mainly to cut motorists and passengers from car wrecks. July figures for Newbury station show that crash rates were 50 per cent up on last year, while the wet summer has seen far less fires. However, false alarms in Newbury were down from 10 a month to eight.