Hugo Haig, director of Locailort, the developer behind Newbury’s Eagle Quarter scheme, offers his thoughts, exclusively to Thames Tap, on the failed project, along with his hopes for its replacement scheme Old Town, due to go to West Berkshire’s Western area planning committee in less than two weeks.

It is always difficult when you have worked closely with the local authority to try to deliver a scheme that suits all parties.

This was the second scheme we had produced. We produced the first Eagle Quarter (now EQ1) following several meetings with the local authority and when we first showed it to them, they said it was exactly what they wanted.

So it is probably understandable that we appealed it when we were refused. Admittedly it was after the council elections had changed the political landscape, but it was none-the-less gutting.

So when we were approached and it was suggested that if we were to withdraw the appeal, reduce the overall height by two more stories at its highest point and change over the office element to additional residential, it would be acceptable, it seemed like a good opportunity to work with the local authority to the benefit of all parties.

That scheme was EQ2, which following various amendments and additional architectural input, was recommended for approval. It went to three committee meetings and was eventually refused by one vote. Another kick in the teeth but, to be fair, it stood a reasonable chance, or a better than 50/50 chance at appeal.

So we appealed it.  By this stage we had also drawn up and submitted the Old Town(OT) application. It is the polar opposite of EQ2 insofar as it is based on a predominantly low rise heritage housing scheme , rather than a higher-rise flatted development.

Also by the time EQ2 was dismissed at appeal all the consultation responses were looking pretty positive for OT but it just goes to show, that nothing is a sure cert.

Everyone looks at things differently and one man’s poison is another man’s nectar. The appeal has defiantly reinforced various facts.

  1. The site is suitable and appropriate for residential redevelopment.
  2. The quantum of open space was appropriate and acceptable on the previous scheme, so given OT has more, that should not be a problem.
  3. With careful design the potential noise issues arising from The Newbury pub can be addressed in built form, rather than by fabric modifications.

So all of these inspector’s comments play to the strength of the new Old Town scheme so, forgive me for being optimistic, but I really hope that it will receive a positive outcome when it goes to committee on September 10.

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