High-rise racecourse plans gain approval
A total of 366 apartments and a 123-bedroom hotel, both overlooking the mile straight, will be built
TEN high-rise apartment blocks and a 123-bedroom hotel will form part of Newbury Racecourse's redevelopment after two plans were approved by West Berkshire Council's western planning committee last night (Wednesday).
The proposals form part of a £300m development for up to 1,500 homes at the racecourse. Permission for 421 homes in the western area of the 309-acre site has already been approved by a single vote in September.
Last night, the majority of councillors approved plans for a mix of 366 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, including 110 affordable homes, which will overlook the mile straight.
The second successful application was for a 123-bedroom hotel, offices, stable lads' hostel, a children's nursery to replace the existing Rocking Horse Nursery and refurbishment of the existing stables, together with access, racecourse car parking for up to 629 vehicles, landscaping and amenities for the central area.
Greenham Parish Council objected to the application for residential housing due to lack of parking, overshadowing and concerns that one lift per building was insufficient.
Greenham parish councillor, Diane Smith added: “Visitors arriving into Newbury by train will wonder what time warp they have travelled when they see a 1970s cityscape.
“This area is isolated. It's several hundred yards to the other housing development. This area will have more in common with a ghost town.”
However, Paul Crispin, managing director of David Wilson Homes Southern, the developers constructing the development, said that overshadowing would be limited and the plans complied with all building regulations.
He added: “We think the scheme will be iconic for Newbury and will put us on the map architecturally.”
The application for the hotel, which will be built next to the apartment blocks, and other amenities was much less controversial and unanimously supported by the committee.
Peter Atkinson from the West Berkshire Chamber of Commerce spoke in favour of both applications which he said would make Newbury one of the premier racecourses in the country.
Newbury Racecourse has said the development will create around 300 new jobs, including apprenticeships.
Building is anticipated to start in late spring, early summer 2012 with the first homes being ready for occupation by the end of next year.