PLANS to demolish a newspaper building in Newbury and build offices and 71 flats will soon be voted on and debated by councillors.

The former chairman of the Newbury Weekly News (NWN), Jeremy Willis, has asked for planning permission to knock down the office the newspaper currently occupies.

The plans also involve demolishing the old newsroom which housed the printing press. Both buildings are on Faraday Road.

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Mr Willis wants to build 71 flats and new offices on the site. The western area planning committee at West Berkshire Council will vote whether to approve the plans at a meeting on February 5.

There would be two office blocks, and a block of mostly flats with some office space. 24 flats would be one-bed, 43 two-beds, and four three-beds.

The newspaper was bought by Edward Iliffe last May, when Mr Willis lost his role as chairman. The staff moved to the new, smaller office in January also last year.

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But council planners are recommending refusing permission for the proposals, because of the risk of flooding and the lack of larger affordable homes.

As the site is so close to the River Kennet, exceptional flooding or failing flood defences could risk residents being trapped in their homes, according to Carolyn Richardson, emergency planner.

Ms Richardson said: “Residents [might] have to leave their properties in order to not be trapped, or might not be able to go home. This may have an impact on the emergency services and local authority in relation to emergency accommodation, which could be in excess of 170 people.

“Residents [might also] be trapped in their homes with no access to supplies, potentially having an impact on emergency services should they need to attend the site.”

Only 21 of the 71 homes, less than 30 per cent, would be affordable. This would be 12 one-bed flats and nine two-bed flats. But the council said there is a need for larger accommodation, like three-bed homes, at affordable prices.

Lydia Mather, senior planning officer, said: “Assuming the applicant is willing to accept the mix of affordable housing outlined by the housing development officer to meet the identified need, the affordable housing would need to be secured by a planning obligation.”

The Newbury Weekly News has been approached for comment.