First glimpse of Kennet Centre regeneration

The first glimpse of the planned regeneration of Newbury’s Kennet Centre has been made available by developer Lochailort Newbury Ltd.

The new Eagle Quarter – named after the former Eagle Iron Works on the site – includes 400 homes, 30 flexible shop/restaurant/co-working units with a focus on independent operators and a development which could either be a sustainable office scheme or retirement living community.

It will replace the failing Kennet Centre and may still incorporate an improved Vue cinema.

Lochailort says the scheme is one of the first in the county to be designed specifically to address the changing landscape of the high streets and will breathe new life into the key town centre site.

The full list of what the developer proposes is:

Around 30 new flexible shops, restaurants and co‐working spaces carefully curated with a focus on independent, local and artisan businesses
New pedestrianised streets providing new links between town’s railway and bus stations and the shops in Northbrook Street.
New public spaces which will open up the town centre
Enhancements to the existing cinema/food & beverage area, plus improvements to the existing multi‐storey car park including additional parking spaces and electric vehicle charging points
Around 400 new homes of different kinds from studio flats to three-bedroom homes, including a number purposely‐designed for rent which include ‘class‐leading residents’ amenities’
A new highly-sustainable headquarters office building or, alternatively, a retirement living community

Lochailort says the scheme will provide a cutting‐edge response to the declared climate emergency, minimising fossil fuels and using a range of renewable energy solutions which, it says, will save at least 240 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year, compared to existing Building Regulations.

Rivington Hark will continue to asset manage the existing centre on behalf of the investor.

Lochailort managing director, Hugo Haig, said: “We are delighted to launch our public consultation on a brand new chapter for Newbury’s town centre, in the form of Eagle Quarter.

“Building on Newbury’s uniqueness, we aim to deliver a vibrant and exciting place which is welcoming to all and fosters a real sense of community.

“We will be encouraging diverse shopping and eating out options which bring our new public spaces to life, whilst at the same time addressing the climate emergency by minimising fossil fuels in favour of the latest in renewable energy.”

Consultation launches on Thursday, October 29 at www.eaglequarter.com and with an exhibition opening the same day in the Kennet Centre.

Once Lochailort has received and reviewed public feedback it intends to make a formal planning application to West Berkshire Council before the end of the year.

See two images below.

Sign up to receive your free weekly Thames Tap newsletter here.