Is this the end for the pavilion project?

The Newbury Labour Party has claimed that the plans for a pavilion in Victoria Park have been scrapped

PLANS to build a modern community arts pavilion in Victoria Park have been scrapped, according to the Newbury Labour Party.

Community organiser Richard Garvie has claimed that the controversial plans for a 22,000 sq ft arts pavilion on the park, as part of a plan for a wider redevelopment of the Wharf area in Newbury, have been scrapped.

However, as yet, no one from West Berkshire Council has been able to confirm or deny the claim despite requests from Newburytoday.co.uk.

Last year, the district councillor responsible for steering the project, Pamela Bale (Con, Pangbourne), announced that the idea was being reviewed as a whole following a public exhibition of proposals in November 2009, when only 50 per cent of people supported the idea.

And now, Mr Garvie claims that a decision to scrap the project has been made following calls from community groups and town and district councillors.

He said: “I think it is brilliant news that this huge, ugly building will no longer be built in Victoria Park and the credit must go to people like Allan Mercado and the Friends of Victoria Park.

“I'd also like to thank Marcus Franks (Con, Speen) for supporting the campaign. I think it was his decision that finally proved that people from all political backgrounds were against this scheme."

Mr Franks said that he was not aware of whether the project had been scrapped, but said he would be pleased if that was the case.

He said: "I have always been against a massive development in the park.

"I am keen to support the town council in improving the park, including a replacement kiosk."

In addition, Mr Franks said he felt the subject was an apolitical issue, adding that the strength of opinion against the project was clear on local forums and the social networking website, Facebook.

Meanwhile, Mr Garvie said he would now turn his attention to other issues in the area.

He said: "What I would like people to do now is to campaign against plans to spend millions of pounds on new canal basins that aren't required. Both of these schemes are expensive items that the council simply cannot afford."

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