Drivers Jonas - Mixed-Use Development - Newbury, Northbrook Street & Victoria Park

Date: 18 Jul 2006

West Berkshire District Council (WBC) planning committee resolved to grant detailed planning consent for Shearer Property Group (SPG) and Standard Life's (SLI) proposed regeneration project for the centre of Newbury in April. The application has since been reviewed by the Government Office and not called in, and WBC now move forward to obtain compulsory purchase powers to facilitate the development.

The 450,000 sq ft scheme will offer 50 new shop units, a department store designed for Debenhams and a potential link into the existing Marks & Spencer. The units are set around new open streets and squares, and complement the traditional prime pitch of Northbrook Street, which will be pedestrianised, and Victoria Park. 187 residential units will be set around roof gardens, with 30% set aside for affordable housing. Parking will be available for 640 cars below ground. As well as planning advice, DJ is providing advice on rights of light and compulsory purchase. Sutton Griffin Architects and Building Design Partnership acted as architects and masterplanners.

Mike Hannigan of Standard Life commented, "This is fantastic news and the culmination of a great deal of hard work in cooperation with WBC".

Planning consent was granted in less than 16 weeks, leading Guy Shearer, Chairman of SPG to add, "Bearing in mind that we were only formally appointed in January 2005, this resolution to grant planning consent has been secured in record time. We are looking forward to driving the scheme on to meet our target of being on site by the end of 2007 and opening for Spring 2010."

CGI of the Newbury regeneration

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