A LONG-delayed regeneration of an industrial estate in Newbury will begin again in the new year after years of setbacks. 

The London Road Industrial Estate (LRIE) development will see new flats and offices built — and controversially, a football ground knocked down. 

West Berkshire Council recently appointed new consultants Avison Young, who will make a write a development brief and masterplan for the area. 

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In about five months, the consultants should finish a draft plan. The council will then review its options, and spend about six months to agree which developers to choose to build the plans. 

Councillor Hilary Cole (Con, Chieveley & Cold Ash), lead for economic development and planning, said: “I’m delighted that we are moving forward with our plans to revitalise this important area of the town and introduce a new northern gateway into the town.

“Not only will it improve the local area, but the new employment space will boost our local economy.

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“This is a big project which will take some time to deliver but we have a good track record delivering the ambitions set out in our vision for Newbury. 

“It’s fantastic to see work on the new Market Street regeneration begin recently, and other projects including Parkway shopping centre and the cinema are now firmly part of the town.

“Now it is time for the London Road Industrial Estate, and I look forward to seeing what Avison Young propose for the area.” 

One of the main setbacks in the regeneration scheme was the council previously selecting developer St Modwen’s in 2015 — breaching EU procurement law by not following the correct tendering process.

A task group of councillors is investigating what happened, and will begin formally interviewing witnesses in January. The group will then report to the council’s overview and scrutiny management commission in February or March. 

Newbury Football Club used to play on the football ground on the industrial estate, but left in June 2018 after the lease ran out. The council has previously said they need the land to build flats on to make the regeneration viable.