“NEWBURYNESS” is the developer’s key theme behind the plans for the new Market Street development, which were unveiled last week.
Following a series of public consultations and workshops, the developers, Grainger plc and architects JTP, unveiled an artist’s impression of the proposed masterplan for the Market Street “urban village.”
Building on feedback from more than 200 residents and businesses, the masterplan includes a mix of homes, green spaces, a community hub and a space for shops and cafés.
Charles Campion, partner at JTP, said: “We wanted the vision for Market Street Urban Village to reflect the feedback from the Community Planning Weekend. The vision complements the charm and character of the town — its 'Newburyness’.
“We will continue to work with the residents in developing the proposals.”
There is also a strong focus on pedestrian and cycle links to the town centre and the need to focus investment on Cheap Street and Bartholomew Street.
Helen Vickers, manager of Willow and Blooms, a florist on Bartholomew Street, said: “We certainly could do with a bit of a facelift and improvements around the area.
“There are a lot of empty units around Cheap Street and along Market Street, so I’m not sure whether lots of new shops is the right way to go with the development.
“I think it has great potential but it does need to be managed properly. I do have concerns about parking and the number of residents that will come to the town.
“There is already inadequate parking for residents and there will be a knock-on effect for the people living in West Mills.”
The plans aim to  revitalise Market Street and include new curving frontages. New spaces will be created for the relocation of a bus stop and shelters.
Jean Ince, co-owner of Artifax Mirrors, on Bartholomew Street, said: “I like the idea. It has changed from the last time, when it was more focused as a retail development with some houses, but now it is a residential development with some small shops.
“I think this part of town has got a completely different character to the other side where Parkway is, which is nice, but it is not unique.
“I think there is a chance here to get something that is more unique to benefit everyone around it.
“There’s us, then there’s Rainbow and Hogan’s Music, it is more of an arty feel and I think that the developers will help that become even more so. I think this is a genuine consultation and I really like it.
“One of the things that does perhaps concern me, is because it is a big development, I wonder what kind of effect it will have with the roads and roundabouts.”
New pedestrian and cycle connections west to Eight Bells Yard, Inch’s Yard and Bartholomew Street will knit the 'urban village’ into the town and a green space formed from the widening of the street has also been included in the plans.
However, the Newbury Quakers Religious Society of Friends, situated in Highfield Avenue, voiced their concerns over the project, as their Friends Meeting House could be demolished.
At the feedback session last Thursday, developers provided two versions of the plan, one which would incorporate the Friends Meeting House in the development, and one where the site would be replaced with more housing.
Around 15 charities and community groups also use the Friends Meeting Place, and Kathryn Dundas, co-ordinator of Eight Bells for Mental Health, which supports people in Newbury with mental health issues, said they were concerned that they would be left without a home.
She said: “No-one is opposed to the redevelopment of the area. Everyone is supportive of the project but we hope that they just leave our building standing. It is a unique place, a sort of oasis, and for our members with mental health, research has proven time and time again that a garden is extremely therapeutic for people with mental health.
“Obviously, people with mental health issues do not adapt very well to change and certainly one thing that increases their anxiety is uncertainty and of course now we are facing a huge uncertainty as we do not know whether we will have a premises.
“We are not standing on our laurels and we are not going to sit and wait for the bulldozers to turn up. We are considering other charity organisations and talking to other charities.
“The real concern is because we are self funded and rely solely on grants and donations. We do not have enough money to rent buildings in the area.
“The Quakers have been so generous to us and given us a severely discounted rent.”
During the feedback meeting, the developers aired a possibility, that if the Friends Meeting Place were to be knocked down, a new premises could be built to replace it.
But Ms Dundas said: “I have to say the members do not feel that they are high on the list of priorities. They feel that expensive housing and restaurants are going to be put before them.”
To encourage input and feedback from the community, a Market Street Community Forum has been established, and will meet on September 24 at 7pm at St Nicolas Church Hall.
A detailed planning application will be submitted to West Berkshire Council by the end of this year.  For more information visit marketstreetnewbury.co.uk/