Town council to dicuss racecourse plans

Newbury Racecourse's latest plans for the golf course area are to go before Newbury town councillors tonight (Monday)

NEWBURY Town Council is tonight (Monday) expected to discuss Newbury Racecourse's latest redevelopment plans submitted to West Berkshire Council for formal approval – this time, for the area including the golf course.

The plans for the golf course include a new club house, a floodlit driving range and parking, with a substantial redevelopment of the course itself also planned.

The application also includes an estate yard and apartment.

The remodelling of the golf course forms part of larger plans to construct 1,500 new homes and a hotel on the racecourse.

The joint managing director of Newbury Racecourse, Sarah Hordern, said: “The application is in line with the original outline planning permission. The only minor changes are amendments to the elevational treatment of the golf clubhouse to ensure it is in keeping with the new buildings in the Central area of the racecourse and a rearrangement of the maintenance yard to optimise its operational performance.”

Concern is already being expressed over the plans, however, with Greenham Parish Council chairman Tony Forward saying: “Neighbouring residents will suffer severely from the light pollution caused by the floodlit course.

“It is also not unknown for places such as clubhouses to be used as conference venues.”

So far, no official comments have been submitted on the application.

While town councillors on the planning and highways committee will tonight possibly be voting either in support or objection to the plans, West Berkshire Council is due to make the final decision on them by February 16.