Racecourse plans passed by one vote

The first phase of the major redevelopment was approved last night (Wednesday)

PLANS for 421 homes as part of the redevelopment of Newbury Racecourse have been approved, despite considerable objection.

In a close vote last night (Wednesday), councillors on the western area planning committee backed the officers' recommendations for approval by a majority of one - with five councillors voting in favour of the development and four voting against the motion. One councillor abstained from the vote.

However, concerns were expressed about the lack of ‘pepper potting' in the distribution of the 127 affordable housing units in the western area of the development, with some councillors suggesting that it would not aid social integration within the local community.

Tony Vickers (Lib Dem, Northcroft) said that pepper potting - the spreading of affordable housing units across developments in no more than five dwellings at any one point - was an important part of council policy to create balanced and mixed communities, adding that he felt it should be adhered to.

However, representatives from Sovereign Housing said the service charges would have been too high in other parts of the development, where the housing would be too expensive for affordable units.

Several other concerns were raised by objectors, including the heights and character of the proposed buildings closest to Boundary Road and the impact on the local community, particularly in terms of traffic.

But after about two hours of hearing from several speakers, including representatives from Newbury Racecourse, David Wilson Homes and the architects behind the proposals, councillors debated the application for about an hour before coming to a decision.

And in proposing to back officers' recommendations, Hilary Cole (Con, Chieveley) said that despite some reservations, she was in favour of the development.

She said: “We know we have got to have it and I doubt we will get any better.

“On balance, I would go with officers' recommendations.”

Andrew Rowles (Con, Kintbury), who seconded the proposal, added that although there were several concerns, it was not possible to keep everyone happy 100 per cent of the time.

He said: “I think it is a well designed and thought out project.

“The racecourse is one of Newbury's biggest assets and this will be a tremendous boost for Newbury, which together with Parkway will push it into the 21st century.”

The decision provided disappointment for the many objectors however, including Boundary Road resident Ben Motteram.

He said: "It was inevitable.

"It feels like it has all been against us."

For more reaction, log back on to Newburytoday.co.uk later today (Thursday) and see next Thursday's Newbury Weekly News.

How did they vote?

The councillors voting in favour of a motion to approve the application were:

Hilary Cole (Con, Chieveley) - proposer

Andrew Rowles (Con, Kintbury) - seconder

Paul Bryant (Con, Speen)

Virginia von Celsing (Con, Compton)

Ieuan Tuck (Con, St Johns)

The councillors voting against the application were:

Tony Vickers (Lib Dem, Northcroft)

David Allen (Lib Dem, Victoria)

Gwen Mason (Lib Dem, Northcroft)

Jeff Beck (Con, Clay Hill)

Paul Hewer (Con, Hungerford) abstained from the vote.