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Newbury reacts to 100-home proposal on former site of Jewson on Pound Street




There has been a mixed response to plans to build around 100 new homes on the former Jewson site in central Newbury.

Housing developer Archel Homes launched a consultation earlier this month to gauge the public’s opinion on its plans to demolish all the existing buildings at Jewson, Newbury Bathrooms and 26 and 28 Pound Street and build four blocks of flats and six terraced houses on the 1.36 acre plot of land.

Some Newbury residents have had their say on the significant residential proposal.

Archel Homes wishes to re-develop the former site of Jewson on Pound Street and build 100 homes
Archel Homes wishes to re-develop the former site of Jewson on Pound Street and build 100 homes

Dominic Morse, an architect that lives directly opposite the proposed development site on Pound Street, slammed the plans, calling them “the poorest and most rapacious form of urban development I've encountered in my career”.

He stated: “The density at over 100 dwelling per hectare is nearly three times what the site can meaningfully accommodate and will significantly exceed the capacity of existing parking, transport, drainage and school infrastructure.

“This is akin to squeezing a gallon into a pint pot.”

What the new residential development would look like on Pound Street, credit: Archel Homes
What the new residential development would look like on Pound Street, credit: Archel Homes

Many people agreed with Mr Morse’s claim that Newbury doesn’t have the required infrastructure to cope with the influx of new residents that the development would cause.

Commenting on Facebook, Paul Cooper said: “We have enough new homes in Newbury; we don’t need any more.

“We need more doctors, food shops, clothes shops, dentists and other things to do round Newbury.”

Some complained about the new development being mainly apartments rather than houses.

What the new residential development would look like on Pound Street, credit: Archel Homes
What the new residential development would look like on Pound Street, credit: Archel Homes

Sean Ayre said: “More apartments. After the loads built at the racecourse, more going where the Kennet Centre is, how hard is it to build proper houses for first time buyers and families.”

Others believed that the new development could contribute to traffic problems within the town centre.

Jim Duncan said: “100 plus more cars. If one major road in the town [is] closed for repairs the whole place comes to a standstill. This will really help.”

Archel Homes wishes to re-develop the former site of Jewson on Pound Street and build 100 homes
Archel Homes wishes to re-develop the former site of Jewson on Pound Street and build 100 homes

But some Newburians welcomed the proposal, believing the town needs more housing options.

Will Young commented: “Great news. We need more housing, and we need it here.”

Some residents were pleased to see that the 100 homes would be built on a brownfield site rather than developing on natural or agricultural land.

Newbury Bathrooms and 26 and 28 Pound Street would be demolished as part of the new housing development
Newbury Bathrooms and 26 and 28 Pound Street would be demolished as part of the new housing development

George Davis said: “Disused warehouse, massive brown field plot – perfect land to redevelop without building on a field on the edge of town.

“Yet Nimbury never fails to deliver an angry response to a sensible plan.”

Concurring, Jamie Corcoran said: “Much better they build 100 homes on that disused brownfield site, than building on countryside.

“This is exactly what these old sites should be used for.”

Archel Homes wishes to re-develop the former site of Jewson on Pound Street and build 100 homes
Archel Homes wishes to re-develop the former site of Jewson on Pound Street and build 100 homes

The Archel Homes consultation website for its Pound Street proposal can be viewed at https://www.poundstreetconsultation.co.uk/

The deadline for providing feedback to the housing developer was Monday, November 20. It is expected that Archel Homes will submit a formal planning application to West Berkshire Council in the near future.



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