Talk over historic estate repairs

A six-week public consultation period is under way

Residents are being invited to talks over allowing some development on a Berkshire estate to fund repairs.

The owner of Highclere Castle has proposed much-needed repairs to some of the historic buildings are funded through "appropriate development".

The move - not usually permitted - may be considered because of the benefit to the historic buildings, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council said.

It has the councillors' backing "in principal". Talks take place on Monday.

'Repairs needed'

The public meeting will also mark the start of a six-week consultation period on the draft policy, which ends on 23 November 2008.

Tim Boschi, from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, said: "Having assessed the estate's accounts and the repairs needed, council officers are satisfied that the estate has made a sound case and are proposing that a council policy accepting the principle of enabling development be adopted.

"This was discussed by the borough council's environment overview committee on Thursday 11 September and councillors backed the plans to give local residents a chance to find out more and comment on the proposal."

The result of the consultation will be reported back to councillors in 2009 and the cabinet will then decide whether or not to adopt the policy, a spokesman for the local authority said.