Verdict on plan to redevelop Kennet shopping centre delayed

The West Berkshire Council committee given the authority to decide if the Kennet Shopping centre gets turned into an eight-storey flats development – has passed the buck to another committee, which will meet in November.

After nearly four hours of discussion, presentations for and against the move, the council's western area planning committee decided it could not decide on whether the Lochailort proposal for 427 build-to-rent flats, to include a new street through the current Kennet Shopping centre, should happen – or not.

The council planning team recommended the proposals which would essentially transform the look of Newbury town centre should be approved.

On balance, they said the latest in a string of proposals that have been kicked back should be approved, based on the fact that the current Kennet Shopping centre, built in the late 1970s, was now out of date and ‘failing’, and that it would result in economic improvement for the town.

But the plans, which would see a selection of high-rise flats built purely for rental, would mean the ‘dwarfing’ of the character of Newbury.

There have been 92 objections to the scheme and 1,384 signatures in a petition against it. 

READ MORE: "Ugly skyscrapers and no affordable housing": Residents clap back at Kennet Centre plan

Dr David Peacock of conservationist The Newbury Society has consistently claimed that the long-term impact to Newbury’s appearance, heritage and character will be irreversibly damaged.

He said: “The scale and mass are out of proportion to the town centre. 1,384 signatures say this is too high and overbearing for Newbury."

The committee heard that it will take six months to demolish the existing Kennet Shopping Centre and three years to construct its replacement.

Councillor Martin Colston (Liberal Democrats, Newbury Central) said: “The developers have supplied endless detail on the prose but nothing on construction. 

“How bad will it be? We want to see development, but not at the expense of Newbury town centre.”

His colleague cllr Louise Sturgess (Liberal Democrats, Newbury Central), said there was a clear view against this from the local community as it was “grossly out of sync with Newbury”.
“This is not a matter of taste but of principle. 

“It will dominate and dwarf the listed buildings around it. Once harm is done, it will be irreversible.”

Elevation plans for the Kennet Shopping Centre redevelopment project in Newbury. (Image: Richard Garvie)

The decision is now set to be met at a district planning committee meeting in November. 

The developers argued that the build-to-rent (BtR) flats provided would be a positive way of meeting a growing demand within the UK’s housing market.

They also claimed the project would not be able to provide any affordable housing due to financial viability. 

However, they argued BtR would go some way to alleviate housing pressure in the area with the selection of studio and small flats proposed.

The residential element of the development is made up of nine residential blocks ranging from two to eight storeys, with the development costing £158m to build.

At ground level, new shopping and commercial units will be provided, alongside new space for the Vue cinema. 

The developer would make around £14m from the proposal.

If the project is approved by the district planning committee, there will also be significant conditions attached to everything from the detailed design of shop fronts to the look and feel of the planned open spaces.

Additionally, the developers would pay nearly £1m in fees levied specifically for cycle ways, signage improvements in Newbury, and cash towards a health centre.