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Kennet Centre ‘Eagle Quarter’ redevelopment appeal begins today - as Old Town plans still waiting on decision




The planning hearing for the eight-storey Kennet Centre redevelopment is due to start this morning (Tuesday).

It will take place at the West Berkshire Council offices in Market Street, Newbury.

The view of Cheap Street and the proposed Kennet Shopping development
The view of Cheap Street and the proposed Kennet Shopping development

The plans for the 427-flat ‘Eagle Quarter II’ development were turned down by West Berkshire Council in January, after stiff opposition from many on the council and conservationists, who felt the proposal would ruin the character of Newbury.

One councillor went on to say they did not want Newbury turned into another Reading or Basingstoke.

Attempts to approve the buy-to-rent scheme had already been filibustered out at a four-and-a-half hour meeting of the planning committee the November before.

The developer Lochailort lodged an appeal almost immediately after the January meeting.

What the redevelopment of the Kennet Shopping centre would look like from Bear Lane if the plans are approved
What the redevelopment of the Kennet Shopping centre would look like from Bear Lane if the plans are approved

The Newbury Society and Newbury Town Council will be joining West Berkshire Council to oppose the development at the appeal hearing, with opening statements due today.

The appeal is expected to last all week, and may continue into the early part of next week.

The appeal is regarding a separate application to the ‘Old Town’ plans, which Newburytoday exclusively revealed earlier in the year.

That application is for the same site and from the same developer, but is for a new residential quarter of Newbury based on mews houses.

The buy to rent aspect of the multi-storey Eagle Quarter gets it out of jail for the lack of affordable housing policy. The council wants all developments to have this.

The Old Town proposal has no affordable housing in it as Lochailort says that is unviable.

These plans are likely to go before a WBC planning committee in the near future.



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