NEWBURY TOWN COUNCIL STATEMENT ON EAGLE QUARTER PLANNING APPEAL

Newbury Town Council has participated as a Rule 6 Party in the Eagle Quarter planning appeal, reflecting our responsibility to protect the character, amenity, and future sustainability of our town. Our involvement has ensured that the voice of the community was heard clearly alongside the formal positions of the Local Planning Authority and the appellant.

The Council’s position focused on three core grounds:

1.     Lack of Amenity Space
We highlighted the fundamental shortfall in usable public and private amenity space within the proposed development. The scale and density of the scheme left insufficient provision for residents’ recreational and wellbeing needs. In a central location such as the Eagle Quarter, it is essential that any major scheme contributes positively to the quality of life of future occupants as well as the wider community. The application, in our view, failed to do so.

2.     Parking Provision
The proposed level of parking provision was wholly inadequate for a development of this size and nature. While the Council supports sustainable transport and a reduction in car dependency, the reality of Newbury’s current transport infrastructure requires a balanced and pragmatic approach. 

3.     The under-provision of spaces would have placed unsustainable pressure on surrounding residential streets, exacerbating existing parking difficulties for local residents and businesses.

4.     Impact on the Conservation Area
Perhaps most significantly, the Council strongly objected to the overpowering nature of the design within the context of Newbury’s historic Conservation Area. The Eagle Quarter sits within the heart of our town, where heritage and character play a central role in defining our identity and attracting both residents and visitors. The bulk, height, and massing of the proposals would have overwhelmed the established townscape, eroding the special qualities of the Conservation Area and causing harm that we considered unjustifiable under national and local planning policy.

Through the Rule 6 process, Newbury Town Council was able to present evidence, cross-examine, and contribute directly to the Inspector’s consideration of these issues. This was a significant and necessary step in safeguarding the town’s long-term interests.

We therefore welcome the rejection of the appeal and reaffirm our commitment to supporting development that is well-designed, sustainable, and sensitive to the needs of both our community and our historic environment. The Council remains ready to work constructively with developers to deliver regeneration that enhances, rather than diminishes, Newbury’s unique character.