Mystery developer pays £1.87m for West Street sites

Former West Berkshire council offices Avonbank House and Northcroft House have been sold at auction for £1.87m to an undisclosed buyer and will make way for the major freehold development.
Demolition could begin as early as next month.
Plans have also been approved for six terraced houses and a large car park near the apartments, conveniently situated just 100 yards from the town’s main retail area.
Buildings owned by the United Reformed Church, which stands alongside Northcroft House in Cromwell Place, are being sold to enable the project to go ahead.
The Rev John Downing, the temporary minister, said: “Our church room is in part of that building, and our synod property advisers are handling everything.
“We understood the earliest date for demolition was some time in March, but nothing has been confirmed.
“My term here finishes on May 7, but there’s been a request to extend the period, so there needs to be a meeting for a decision to be made.”
A wall of silence has been erected around the identity of the buyer of the properties, which were sold at auction by Allsop, of London.
Mr Downing said: “I’m aware who bought them, but I’m not at liberty to say. It’s a matter of commercial confidence.”
Solicitors representing the sellers said: “Notwithstanding that the auction was in the public domain, we are not able to disclose any specific details relating to the sale.”
A spokesman for Allsop said: “I can confirm that they were sold for £1.87m, but I cannot tell you who bought them. Sorry.”
Roy Probert, a spokesman for Sovereign housing association, whose head office is in Newbury, said: “It’s definitely not us”.