West Berkshire Council proposing changes to Newbury Town Centre Conservation Area

West Berkshire Council is proposing to detach several sections of central Newbury from the town’s conservation area.

The plans are part of the council’s review of the area within its draft update of the Newbury Town Centre Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan.

The statutory definition of a conservation area is “an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance”.

One proposed section to be subtracted has concerned a local resident, who fears the change will allow developers to demolish a historically significant row of houses to build new blocks of flats.

The area in question is primarily around West Street, which is located just behind Northbrook Street on its west side.

West Street resident Caroline Ffrench Blake said: “I cannot see any good reason for lifting the conservation area status for West Street, particularly the terrace of small houses that were built by the Carnarvon family for Highclere Castle estate craftsmen in the late 18th century – to enable them to ply their trade in Newbury as well as undertake maintenance of the castle.

“Indeed it seems to me that this terrace (which used to be called Carnarvon Terrace before being changed to the rather characterless West Street) is possibly the only area in Newbury that would actually be meaningful to present day tourists.

“They would be familiar with Highclere Castle from the television series Downton Abbey, and might indeed be planning a visit to Highclere Castle while in the area.

“I fear that the underlying reason for the change is ultimately to forcibly purchase the terrace, demolish it and build another huge block – probably of flats.

“The very central location of the terrace, and its overall generous size, and its independence from other buildings would make it ideal for such a project.”

The draft plan states of the area’s proposed subtraction from the conservation area: “Whilst characterful in their own right, the row of 19th-century terraced houses on West Street are not of sufficient interest to justify inclusion, especially when this would come at the cost of including neighbouring modern development of an adverse character.”

This is just one of the many changes that West Berkshire Council is proposing to the Newbury Town Centre Conservation Area within its new plans. There are also several additions to the area proposed as well as subtractions and alterations.

There is only one week left for residents to give their views on the draft Newbury Town Centre Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan before the council considers all comments it receives, makes the necessary amendments and formally adopts the plan later this year.

Those wishing to view the plan and the map of newly proposed conservation area should visit https://bit.ly/3jRah4y. Residents can also leave comments in an online survey on the same web page.

Residents can also send their comments to NewburyConsultation@westberks.gov.uk

Those wishing to view the documents in person should visit the West Berkshire Council offices, Newbury Town Hall or Newbury Library.