ARCHITECTURAL FOCUS
One of the biggest changes with the design evolutions to the scheme was an altered focus on materiality .
the local authority . Phase one ’ s 119 homes will include 27 designated for social rent , 62 for affordable rent and 30 as shared ownership properties .
Site Background : This large two-phase residential development in Newbury is located on a previously industrial site that had historic contamination issues , with close boundaries with both Network Rail and the Highway . In addition to these constraints , the pre-existing site had little drainage infrastructure or capacity and was part of an area review by Thames Water .
The site previously housed the Sterling Cables manufacturing plant and the Newbury Town Gas Company and was a pocket of commercial use within a predominantly residential neighbourhood . The proposed development for 167 apartments became a landmark scheme in Newbury on a gateway site alongside the railway line into the town .
Nelson Land purchased the site in 2006 and sought planning permission to allow a change of use to residential , whilst also committing to the long process of site decontamination . The change of use was permitted and the resultant planning permission also included a stipulation by West Berkshire Council to create a new road through the site , leading to two new roundabouts in order to help alleviate local traffic stress . The successful incorporation of this road plan was a major factor in planning permission being given on the third application in 2015 .
Appointment : Nissen Richards Studio were appointed to the project in 2018 , at which point the site decontamination process had begun . Whilst the massing from the original scheme had to stay in place , the client asked for more work to be done on the building layouts .
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