Client: Private Consortium

Location: Thatcham, Berkshire

Status: In Consultation 

JSA continue to represent a private consortium in the promotion of a land holding measuring circa 35ha near Newbury in West Berkshire. After historic ad-hoc land promotion with nil success, JSA was approached in 2013 to promote the land to the Council. Starting with a detailed appraisal and strategy review, JSA identified the significant land constraints which affected the site and ways in which these could be overcome. Most significantly, this included remodelling the hydrology of the site which significantly improved the flood risk credentials and resulted in a strategy to entirely overcome flood risk. Access has also been a significant issue and JSA have liaised directly with nearby stakeholders including meeting with Network Rail to agree access rights, air rights and agreeing some funding towards the development in principle.

We have also held a dialogue with West Berkshire Highway Authority, the Town Council, SSE (regarding the rerouting and burial of high voltage cables), the Newbury Business Improvement District (BID), the Environment Agency, British Waterways and Sport England.

The site has been submitted through the Councils Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) and the more recent (HELAA). We have also made representation to the Housing Allocations DPD. The site continues to be promoted within the HELAA pursuant of being allocated within the forthcoming new Local Plan anticipated for adoption in 2020.