Nearly 9 out of 10 people agree we need to make greater use of the canal-side area and more than three quarters of people support the Pavilion in the park.

19% of people feel that Victoria Park should be left as it is. Similar proportions think that the Wharf area should remain a car park.

The proposed Wharf Project forms part of the Newbury Vision 2025 which will create a number of ‘quarters’ across the town centre. One of these, centred around the wharf area and Market Place is aimed at promoting more leisure and recreational activities in the town. The aim of the scheme in the Wharf is to re-establish the canal-side as a focal point for both residents and visitors alike and provide new community facilities for the town.

The consultation was run by West Berkshire Council on behalf of the Newbury Town Centre Management Steering Group. The purpose of the consultation was to capture a representative picture of residents’ views on the scheme to determine whether there is sufficient public support to work up the proposals into a more detailed scheme and put it forward as a planning application.

Nick Carter, Chief Executive of West Berkshire Council said, “More than 2000 people responded to the consultation demonstrating a keen interest in the future of Newbury. I hope this positive response means that we will now be able to take this project through to the more detailed planning stage culminating in a planning application.”

Peter Atkinson, Chairman of the West Berkshire Partnership added,” This is a very positive response from local people giving the green light to a project that will enhance their town from both the leisure and retail perspective.”