Kennet Centre revamp plans up before the council again

A decision on the re-development plans for the Kennet Shopping centre is due next week (Thursday, October 3).

A special meeting of West Berkshire Council’s western area planning committee is to debate the latest iteration of plans, which will see the town centre shopping centre transformed into blocks of flats over a covered mall if approved.

Developer Lochailort acquired the Kennet Shopping centre in 2020.

Since then, the company has been trying to get plans finalised to replace the shopping centre with retail space, flats and start-up units, as well as opening up a new route from Market Place to Bartholomew Street.

The new development will, if realised, be called the Eagle Quarter.

The main blocker to date has been the height, appearance and general scale of the proposal, which has now seen the main blocks reduced in height.

The original plan went up to 11 storeys but the highest is now eight. The Newbury Society – which promotes and supports heritage in the town is one of the main objectors – and has said that “up to six storeys” would be acceptable.

Lochailort says it has received “many positive responses to our proposals from members of the public who are keen to see this down-at-heel part of Newbury revived with new homes, shops, cafes, restaurants and open spaces”.

This latest proposition will be put to the test at an extraordinary meeting of WBC’s western area planning committee next week.

It’s possible that it may then be referred to the district planning committee which meets later in October.