Plans for 47 flats in Newbury centre opposed by town council

Councillors vote against Bartholomew Street development due to lack of affordable homes

PLANS to build almost 50 new flats and four new retail units in the centre of Newbury have been submitted to West Berkshire Council.

The application to develop the area opposite the Kennet Centre seeks to demolish all existing buildings between 11 to 15 Bartholomew Street, which will be replaced by the new retail units with 47 one- and two-bed flats above.

The application, submitted by Planning Works Ltd on behalf of Lunar Retail Sarl, states that the proposed redevelopment is a “significant opportunity to provide modern shopping and housing” in Newbury town centre.

However, the plans have met opposition from Newbury town councillors, who registered their objections to the development at a meeting on Monday.

The site, known as Pearl House, was previously home to the Red Stores department store from the early 20th century before being redeveloped to make way for the Regal Cinema.

A five-storey office block was built on the site and stood until the late 90s, before being partially-demolished.

The lower floors that remain are currently occupied by a selection of retailers, including Wild Sports, Nail Bar and Iceland, as well as a number of vacant buildings.

The development, which will be a mixture of two and four storey buildings, will also provide parking facilities for 47 cars and 93 cycle spaces.

During the meeting of the planning and highways committee, Miles Evans (Con, Victoria) said that while the design was in keeping with existing buildings in Bartholomew Street, the lack of affordable housing was a major problem with the application.

He continued: “Sites over 15 dwellings should have 30 per cent affordable homes – meaning that this development should have at least 14 affordable homes.

“There isn’t going to be any by the looks of it.”

Mr Evans also said the lack of parking for the residential units meant that it might prove difficult to find businesses willing to occupy the site.

Julian Swift-Hook (Lib Dem, Pyle Hill) agreed, saying he was extremely concerned about the lack of affordable housing and he also pointed out that the lack of soundproofing on the residential units would also be an issue.

He said: “The point about soundproofing is extremely important.

“With the Snooty Fox opposite, it could lead to residents complaining about noise from a pub that’s been there for years, exactly the same thing happened at the Dolphin when the flats there were built and the landlord had to make changes.

“So that is something that does need to be taken into account as the businesses that have been in the town need to be protected.”

Councillors voted unanimously to object to the plans before the chairman of the committee, Anthony Pick (Con, St John’s), criticised the applicant for failing to attend the meeting saying: “It’s very disappointing that the applicant did not come along to argue any of those points.

The development would mean that traders currently housed on the site would need to relocate. However, the manager of Iceland, Stephen Chamberlain, said that he was not too concerned about the application just yet.

“As far as I’m aware it’s for something that could be five, 10 or 15 years down the line.

“These things are very much long-term and as we’re a successful store, if it does go through, when the time comes I’m sure Iceland would be looking to purchase another site in Newbury.”