Mixed bag of responses for north Newbury development

Under the proposals, drawn up by developers Commercial Estates Group, approximatley 87 acres of land to the north and west of Vodafone’s UK headquarters have been earmarked for development, with access coming from the Vodafone roundabout.
At a public consultation event on Tuesday, 197 people turned up to air their views at the Castle School, Donnington.
Richard and Helen Levy said they thought that the proposal was not unreasonable at this stage and that the location was better than the 2,000 homes set to be built at Sandleford Park.
“The biggest concern we have is about access and traffic. They’re saying access will be off the A339, which makes sense as the other roads are hopeless. The location is quite good but they just have to make sure the facilities are there,” they said.
A similar scheme, but to build 2,000 homes in the area, was considered within West Berkshire Council’s core strategy as an alternative to Sandleford but was ultimatley unsuccessful.
Speaking last year, West Berkshire councillor Alan Law said that the site was “considered less well related to the existing community, with the site split by the A339 constraining the potential for an integrated sustainable community.” The impact on Donnington village was also considered.
On Tuesday, there were concerns raised over the development’s impact on traffic, health and education provision.
Newbury resident Mark Flitten explained that he had a two week wait for a doctors appointment in the town and that he could not get his son into Speenhamland Primary School. “I’m probably against it as I feel Newbury is already overdeveloped as it is,” he said.
In response development manager for CEG Matthew Tunley said: “We’re in discussion with West Berkshire Council and if they say there’s a lack of provision then it’s something we will need to look at. Whether its a new school or if it appears that local schools could be improved then we will look at that as well.”
And after Vodafone was granted planning permission to build its HQ in April 1999, concerns were raised that the floodgates for further development in the area would be opened.
Les Taylor said: “I think it’s not a good move for a town that’s already saturated with traffic and I was on the understanding that when Vodafone went in that there would be no infill.”
And the Haslam family, from Shaw, added: “We have concerns in that we live, work and study locally and think its an overdevelopment on this side of Newbury.”
Mrs Haslam said that she worked at Vodafone and thought that extra traffic on the roundabout would be a nightmare in the mornings.
“We were flooded in 2007 and Vodafone was flooded as well and this will increase the risk of flooding and the council has not come up with flood defences as it is anyway. It’s obviously early days but it will be interesting to see the next stage. I think it sets a precedent if it’s approved. We would like to see no development.”
But Mr Tunnly said that the district was under pressure to deliver new homes to house a growing population.
“West Berkshire is considering all sites, including this one at north Newbury. As this location is so close to the town centre and a major employment site, it offers a sustainable solution to growth,” he said.
A second exhibition, including a draft master plan, is expected to be displayed next spring with an application submitted later in 2014 and people can continue to register their opinion at www.northnewbury.co.uk