An ambitious project to redevelop an industrial estate in Newbury begins in earnest in the New Year.
Regeneration of the London Road Industrial Estate is an important project which will revitalise this area of town – delivering new amenities and improving this area of the town. It is a long-held ambition of the Newbury Vision 2026 and is a commitment in the newly adopted Council Strategy.
This week (w/c 16 December) consultants have been appointed to produce a new development brief and masterplan for the area. This work will set out key details about future development including the principles for redevelopment, planning policy and how the land might be used. The masterplan will guide all development within the regeneration area and not just on land owned by West Berkshire Council.
The work will take around five months to complete in draft form. Once received, the Council will review the options and then over the next six months or so agree the type and number of partnerships the Council might wish to enter into to progress with regeneration of the area.
Subject to contracts being signed, consultants Avison Young will begin work on the masterplan in the coming weeks. In coming up with a new masterplan Avison Young will meet with key stakeholders locally to help inform their report. Proposals will seek to both make best use of the area for the town and ensure on behalf of residents to maximise the Council’s financial position as a landowner.
Speaking about the development Councillor Hilary Cole, Executive Member for Economic Development and Planning said:
“I’m delighted that we are moving forward with our plans to revitalise this important area of the town and introduce a new northern gateway into the town. Not only will it improve the local area but the new employment space will boost our local economy.
“This is a big project which will take some time to deliver but we have a good track record delivering the ambitions set out in our vision for Newbury. It’s fantastic to see work on the new Market Street regeneration begin recently, and other projects including Parkway Shopping Centre and the cinema are now firmly part of the town. Now it is time for the London Road Industrial Estate and I look forward to seeing what Avison Young propose for the area. ”
