Council admits pavilion project is under review

West Berkshire Council has responded to claims that plans for an arts pavilion in Victoria Park had been scrapped

WEST Berkshire Council has denied that plans for a large-scale arts pavilion in Victoria Park have been scrapped, but has admitted the project is under review.

Newburytoday.co.uk reported earlier today (Friday) that the Newbury Labour Party claimed that controversial plans for a 22,000 sq ft arts pavilion in the park had been scrapped in the face of opposition from community groups and town and district councillors.

However, after initially failing to respond to requests from Newburytoday.co.uk to confirm or deny the claims, the district council has now said it is still actively proceeding with the Wharf project.

In a statement, district council spokesman Phil Spray said: “It is the council's intention to review the whole project in light of current economic conditions and discuss a possible way forward with key partners in the near future.

“As stated in the original Vision document the completion of Parkway now affords an opportunity to look at the Wharf in a more holistic way.

“However, nothing will happen without the broad support of the people of West Berkshire and no public money will be spent.”

At a public exhibition of plans in November 2009, only 50 per cent of people supported the idea, leading to a review of the project as a whole, as announced last year by the district councillor steering the project, Pamela Bale (Con, Pangbourne).