Lochailort’s plans to replace Newbury’s Kennet Centre with a low-rise scheme of 317 homes has been approved by councillors after a three-hour meeting.
West Berkshire Council’s Western area planning committee’s special meeting on September 10, approved the Old Town scheme of traditional style homes which had won praise from Create Streets, a social enterprise which seeks to ensure developments meet local needs and sustainability goals.
Ahead of Wednesday’s meeting Create Spaces posted its support on social media. The group said: “If you want some hope for the future have a look at the proposals to restitch the ancient English town of Newbury. They’re probably the best town centre development being proposed in Britain today, quite inspiring: a perfect example of three core concepts.”
Councillors spoke in favour of the design of the Old Town scheme following the failure of the previous Eagle Quarter proposition which was dismissed at appeal. Cllr Louise Sturgess called it very welcome. Although others noted a lack of affordable homes.
Hugo Haig, director of Lochailort, said afterwards: “We were delighted with the resounding vote of confidence in our proposals for Old Town.
“It is a fantastic scheme and a fantastic opportunity to restitch the Heritage back into this lovely market town.
“We were also delighted to have been able to engender the support of both the Town Council and the Newbury Society, which has not always been the case.
“On a personal level I would like to thank all those people who have given us their support and I truly believe that it is an exceptional scheme routed in the very essence of the local vernacular.
“I very grateful to everyone who has worked on the project, and in particular, the architect, Jason Leonard and his team including Alessio, Sarah Ballantine-Way, the planning director of Lochailort, and everyone in West Berkshire Council.“
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