Bid to pause London Road Industrial Estate project in Newbury is rejected
Phased approach to redevelopment will go ahead as planned
John Herring
CALLS to pause the regeneration of the London Road Industrial Estate (LRIE) have been defeated.
Planning consultant Avison Young says up to 280 homes, 3,473 sq m of office space and 5,400 sq m of space for other businesses could be built there.
The Liberal Democrats called in the Conservative-run council’s decision, raising concerns about its ability to manage the project, its conflict of interests and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the local economy.
They called for the project to be paused until an environmental assessment of the entire site had been carried out, the fall-out of the pandemic was more fully understood and the appropriate project management structure and expertise were in place.
But the Conservatives running West Berkshire Council say they are confident the new offices will attract businesses. They want to develop the 27.5 acre Newbury industrial estate in phases, and planning consultants say up to 280 homes, 3,473sqm of office space and 5,400sqm of space for other businesses could be built there. Cllr Lee Dillon, leader of the West Berkshire Liberal Democrats, said the pandemic and the severe economic downturn could have a significant impact on demand for offices. He said Covid-19 “has been that catalyst for accelerating flexible working” and “home working is likely to significantly increase.” He added: “We often find during a recession, if you go through the cycles, companies retract, they take on less staff and they need less office space.”
Newbury MP Laura Farris welcomes post Brexit trade deal
Free trade deal agreed after years of division and rancour
John Herring
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Newbury MP Laura Farris has said the post Brexit trade deal agreed today will offer settlement to the most divisive issue of her life.
A post-Brexit trade deal was agreed by negotiators from the UK and the European Union after months of talks and frantic last-minute wrangling.
The deal was secured on Christmas Eve, a week before current trading arrangements expire.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen were in close contact over recent days to help get the deal over the line.