Racecourse Redevelopment remains 'on course'

The approval of the detailed plans for the redevelopment of the Central Area of Newbury Racecourse at last night’s planning committee meeting means the project is still on course to start next year. 

Joint developers for the scheme, Newbury Racecourse and David Wilson Homes welcomed the consent that focussed primarily on the improvements to the racing and hospitality offer in addition to a range of apartments along The Mile Straight.  This follows an earlier consent in September for the Western area that comprised mainly family homes.

Sarah Hordern, joint managing director of Newbury Racecourse said: “Approval of this phase of this multi-million pound redevelopment enables us to significantly improve the racing experience – particularly for the racing staff, trainers and owners. 

“This permission will enable us to provide stable staff with dedicated overnight ensuite accommodation that will set new standards of comfort and welfare.  There will also be a new horse walk and refurbished stables as well as a new dedicated owners’ and trainers’ car park and entrance.”


Throughout the design process feedback was taken not only from the wider community in Newbury but also the racing industry.   Jim Cornelius, chief executive of the National Association of Stable Staff says: “Newbury Racecourse have proved the value they place on the stable staff by investing in and providing the very best, dedicated race day facilities for them.” 

In addition to enhanced racing amenities, the Central Area consent includes a 123-bedroom hotel and a brand new Rocking Horse Nursery which is being relocated to a new purpose designed building that will sit closer to the residential community.  Features of the new nursery will include floor-to-ceiling glazing allowing natural light to flood into the individual classrooms, each of which has direct access to its own dedicated play area within a private and secure walled garden. Designs for the racing elements of the redevelopment together with the hotel and children’s nursery are by KKA Architecture alongside the scheme’s master planners, Glenn Howells Architects.

 

Glenn Howells comments:  “We are delighted that our design has won approval. We know that our plans will make a positive contribution towards the regeneration of both the facilities and the racecourse at Newbury.  This project is a unique opportunity to positively affect Newbury’s future.”

Proposals for the racecourse redevelopment began six years ago and have involved an extensive public consultation programme to ensure local community involvement from the start. Outline planning for the 309 acre site was achieved in April 2010 and the re-development is expected to take around 12 years to complete.  Around 300 new jobs for local people, including apprenticeships will be created.

In addition to the improvements to the racing amenities, the planning consent also includes approval for 366 one, two and three bedroom apartments, both for private sale and as affordable housing; many will enjoy fantastic views over the racecourse in particular those along the famous Mile Straight in buildings that have been designed to complement the architecture of both the existing grandstand and the new hotel.
 

 

Paul Crispin, managing director of David Wilson Homes Southern, comments: “We are delighted to achieve consent for the second phase.  We’ve been working together for six years and we’re very much looking forward to putting the first spade in the ground next year.”

Sarah Hordern concludes: “The redevelopment of Newbury Racecourse will enable us to safeguard the future of racing at Newbury and the heritage of this 1905 course. Throughout the works racing will continue - it will be business as usual and we will ensure our members and visitors will be kept informed of progress every step of the way.”

Building is anticipated to start in late spring/early summer 2012 with the first homes being ready for occupation by the end of 2012.

Our next racing highlight is the Sportingbet Winter Festival featuring Saturday’s Hennessy Gold Cup which runs from 24th to 26th November and is a highpoint of the winter sporting and social calendar.  For information and tickets visit our dedicated microsite www.newbury-racecourse.co.uk/winterfestival

Click here for more information on the redevelopment of Newbury Racecourse.

To register interest in the new homes, please email David Wilson Homes sales director, Paul Moran at paul.moran@dwh.co.uk