Plans to build on a corner of Victoria Park are being kept under wraps by the great and good in charge of delivering the Vision for Newbury.

The old boat basin at the Wharf is about to be reinstated, and Wharf Street pedestrianised by West Berkshire Council. But the most controversial proposals are to build an art gallery and mobile phone museum on the opposite side of the canal in Victoria Park. The public has already told the council not to build anything on the town’s “green lung”, but no further details will be available until April 19.

More drink driving arrests

Two local men are due in court to answer drink-driving charges after another police swoop over the weekend.

David Kidney, 39, of Dickens Walk, Nightingales, faces several motoring charges, as does Thatcham man Roger Hunt, 36, who was stopped by a patrol on Slanting Hill, Hermitage.

Graffiti patrol

Probation officers are being shown Newbury’s graffiti blackspots today, in preparation for a scheme to force criminals to clean up the town. Town Centre Manager Mitch Roberts is meeting with Reading Probation Service to draft in people on community service orders to tackle the town’s worsening graffiti problem.

More flats

The trend for knocking down period homes to build flats and maisonettes has spread from Andover Road to other parts of Newbury. Plans have been lodged to flatten a house in Rockingham Road, and rebuild seven flats with parking.

Women up for assault

Two Newbury women face court next week to answer assault charges. Turnpike resident Sacha Smith, 31, of Cresswell Road, was arrested on Saturday evening, shortly after Nicola Jarvis, 20, of Freeman Court, West Street, was charged. The arrests are unrelated.

Grey matters

A new retirement home is planned for Newbury - by a busy main road. Sheltered housing specialist McCarthy & Stone has unveiled a scheme to build 54 apartments on land off the A4 near Winchcombe School. The developer previously tried to turn Wheelers garage into a 90-home complex, which was ruled out by town planners. Wheelers is now part of the Bridges Renault dealership.