Plans to build 79 homes in Pound Street, Newbury, expected to be approved by councillors

A former builders’ merchants in Newbury town centre is expected to be demolished and converted into housing.

West Berkshire councillors are considering a proposal to build 79 homes on land in Pound Street.

Officers are recommending approval to the plans, subject to councillors agreeing Section 106 conditions by Monday, November 18.

The plot housed a branch of building merchants Jewson’s, the former Newbury Bathroom Store and some 20th-century housing.

These would all go to allow for the housing to be created.

The eastern part of the site is within the Newbury Town Centre Conservation Area, and within a flood zone.

The site’s current incarnation dates back to 1978, when it was granted permission for a change of use to a printing works with offices, while a creamery was converted into a showroom and storage area in 1985.

The builders’ merchants was extended in 1989, while asbestos sheds were removed in 1990.

An original application proposed 100 homes over four apartment blocks and six terraced homes.

This was reduced first to 83 homes and now 79, over three blocks and 10 terraces.

One of these blocks would comprise five three-bedroom homes with gardens rather than nine two-bedroom flats.

Thirty per cent of the scheme would be affordable, 70 per cent for social rents, 25 per cent for first homes and five percent for shared ownership.

The site will include a communal amenity space, with trees, shrubs, lawns and a seating area to create a garden area.

Half the number of homes (53) would be two-bedroom, a third of the homes (27) would be one-bedroom, one in eight (10) would be three-bedroom.

While the original proposals were not popular, the revisions have been more palatable.

Newbury Town Council objected to the original proposal, warning there was insufficient parking, and an unbalanced mixture of flats to housing.

It also raised concerns on the impact of waste water infrastructure. However, it has not objected to the revised proposal.

West Berkshire Council’s highways department has expressed concern over the proximity of the homes to a nearby Co-operative store, but did not feel this warranted a potential refusal.

Its conservation and design officer had also called for the plans to be rejected, but felt the revisions addressed concerns – a similar position to The Newbury Society, which now says it supports the amendments.

The revised plans received 33 responses during a consultation – all but two were against the scheme, with building design, landscaping and impact on the roads all cited as reasons to reject the proposal.

Criticisms includes a lack of bay windows, the development would be cramped, and it would be of an excessive height compared to neighbouring buildings.

Other concerns included a lack of parking for households with more than one car or those expecting visitors, a lack of public transport, and speeding on Pound Street.

No solar panels, and a lack of clarity over affordable homes were raised, as was a concern over possible disturbance of a nearby medieval burial ground, the extent of which is currently unknown.

However, officers say solar would introduce “visual clutter” to the roofscapes which would then impact on the Conservation area, while works over the years would have meant Mesolithic archaeology is unlikely to survive in the site.

The meeting will take place at the council offices in Market Street, Newbury, and on YouTube from 6.30pm today (Wednesday).