Shopping centre redevelopment appeal hearing begins

The appeal against a council's decision to reject a multi-storey redevelopment of a shopping centre has begun.

West Berkshire Council's planning committee rejected the proposal for a residential and retail development with more than 400 flats at the Kennet Shopping Centre in Newbury.

Since then the developer has lodged another proposal for the redevelopment of the site – this time getting rid of the shopping street and multi-storey flats and proposing a mews house style housing quarter called Old Town.

Richard Aston, the government's planning inspector heading the appeal hearing, said much would rest on whether the council has provided a five-year supply of deliverable housing sites.

The hearing is due to last seven days, and Mr Aston's decision is expected in August.

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