Newbury Racecourse

UPDATED plans for the redevelopment of Newbury Racecourse will be unveiled at a public exhibition held at the course from 25th – 27th September. This exhibition follows previous public consultations in 2006, and more recently in July 2008, and will show the changes made to the proposals following feedback from local residents, members of the racing community and other interested groups.

The racecourse team, joint partners in the redevelopment project David Wilson Homes, and other consultants will be present at the exhibition and are inviting further comments on the project in advance of its planned submission to West Berkshire Council later this autumn.

Sarah Hordern, managing director of property development and finance at Newbury Racecourse, says: “Newbury Racecourse is an historic Grade I course that needs redeveloping to assure its long-term sustainable future. Currently, we only race 30 days a year. If we are to compete with other courses as a first class international racing venue, we need to maximise our potential and make our non-race days count. By trading 365 days a year we will be providing a more inclusive and vibrant leisure destination, with racing at its core; our redevelopment proposals will make this possible.”

The multi-million redevelopment plans include a 120-bed hotel, the creation of better access to the racecourse via a new bridge that already has planning approval, the creation of a more impressive entrance providing a real ‘sense of arrival’, improvements and additions to the current racing and golfing facilities at the racecourse and up to 1500 new homes, from apartments for first time buyers to five bedroom homes, on land no longer required for racing activities, at ‘Newbury Park’.

In addition to its public consultations, the Newbury Racecourse redevelopment team has been in discussion with various organisations to ensure the facilities and services needed by residents of Newbury Park will be successfully met. These include the Primary Care Trust, Local Education Authority, Local Highway Authority, Sovereign Housing Group, Environment Agency, Natural England, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) and the officers of West Berkshire Council responsible for affordable housing provision, open space and play areas, ecology, conservation and design, and environmental health.

Mrs Hordern adds: “The improved racecourse will have a vibrant community, both residential and commercial, that will be well-integrated into Newbury town. The existing community and residents of Newbury Park will be able to enjoy a wide range of facilities and activities at the site.

“On non-race days the hotel, conference and events facilities, bars and restaurant will be open, to ensure the racecourse as a whole is better utilised and that this wonderful venue is always a lively and welcoming place to visit.
“The golf course, clubhouse and driving range will be improved and there will be a new building for the children’s nursery. In addition to the leisure and fitness facilities offered at the existing Cannons Health Club, there will also be large areas of green open space around the racecourse for public use.”

For further information on the improvements made to the redevelopment master plan as a result of the public consultation process, and the project as a whole, please attend the public exhibition or visit www.newbury-racecourse.co.uk where the exhibition will be available to view from 25th September, or telephone the racecourse on 01635 40015 for a paper copy of the exhibition and feedback form.

Exhibition Opening Times:- Thursday 25th September 12.00noon – 9.00pm
Friday 26th September 10.00am – 8.00pm
Saturday 27th September 10.00am – 3.00pm

The exhibition is being held in The Berkshire Stand, Newbury Racecourse, Berkshire, RG14 7NZ

For further information please contact:

Anne Toomey/Lucinda Ball
Property House Marketing
170 Epsom Road
Guildford
Surrey
GU1 2RP