Home   News   Article

Subscribe Now

Retirement complex for former council buildings deemed too high for roadside





Members of Newbury Town Council’s planning and highways committee scrutinised the plans on Monday night.
Concerns were also put to the committee by nearby resident William Bolton, who said that the building, which would be four-storeys high, would be overbearing when situated directly at the roadside.
“In principle I have no objection at all to the development,” he said. “I think retirement homes in that area is a good scheme.
“My big concern is the four-storey elevation to the east of the site. We are concerned that this is a step - or a floor in this case - too far.”
Plans for the revamp, submitted in December, caused controversy as it involved the demolition and redevelopment of the United Reformed Church, however the proposals were shelved when a price for the church’s purchase could not be agreed.
Mr Bolton added that he was relieved proposals for an underground carpark had been dropped due to the subsidence across the town which followed the construction of the underground carpark at Parkway in 2010.
“It’s the same geographical route through that section of town,” he said.
Victoria ward member David Allen (Lib Dem) said: “I feel very strongly about the height of these developments.
“It’s overpowering, it’s dominant, it destroys the street scene and I would pose the objection purely on those grounds.
“They need to reduce its prominence in the town.”
Elizabeth O’Keefe (Lib Dem, Victoria) added: “We have a lot of development in this area of Newbury.
“I firmly believe that the sewage system cannot keep on coping with all these extra developments...the houses to the south will be completely overshadowed and surrounded.
“Something does need doing with the site and it would be a good place for elderly people to live but it will be too big.”
Discussions over the redevelopment of the site were first brought to the fore in 2011 when Developers Mapeley Delta Aquistias applied for permission to demolish the two council buildings and provide 61 retirement living apartments at the site.
Now, Churchill Retirement Living is seeking permission for the 64-apartment complex.
“They are going for three more units. I just think they could perhaps lose a few off the top and have a little bit more respect for the environment of West Street,” concluded Mr Bolton.
Developers purchased former West Berkshire Council offices Avonbank House and Northcroft House for £1.87m earlier this year, while two buildings owned by the United Reform Church were also sold for the scheme.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More