Number of homes to be built at racecourse site cut

The number of new homes that will be built at a Berkshire racecourse has been cut.

David Wilson Homes was given permission to build 1,500 homes at Newbury Racecourse in 2010 and two of the development's three parts have been built and are occupied.

The third, referred to as the eastern area, was previously given permission for 713 homes in buildings up to eight storeys tall.

West Berkshire councillors approved a plan last week to cut the number of homes in the final area to 593 and to reduce the height of all the new buildings to a maximum of four storeys.

They were told the developer wants to use a “more sustainable timber-framed building” for the seven apartment blocks.

The change in proposed homes means that a total of 1,384 homes will be built at the racecourse rather than the previously agreed 1,500.

West Berkshire Council's western planning committee approved the change on Wednesday.

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