Last week, the Waterbridge Group cleared the first hurdle with plans to demolish the former Pearl Assurance block in Bartholomew Street – currently the home of Iceland frozen foods and other retailers – after planning officials approved part of the proposals.

The proposals involve re-providing five shops, although the floorspace is only half of what’s currently there. Above, there will be 14 townhouses, with private roof terraces. The most significant change is that two of the new shops will be along a new footpath designed where Fabricland is now and running along the side of the current Iceland car park.

The plans have yet to get full consent from West Berkshire Council, and will go to a committee in the next few weeks for discussion. However, there will be a fight on from Newbury Building Society, which objected that the new development would scupper its chances of redeveloping its own car park if it wished to.

With development due to start in 2009, Newbury will soon have the cinema works in Cheap Street, demolition of buildings in Park Way, and quite possibly this demolition in Bartholomew Street all on the go at the same time.

The Waterbridge plans are not part of West Berkshire Council’s Vision 2025, but are part of big changes planned for Bartholomew Street. Meanwhile, Sovereign Housing has been in talks with planners about converting its offices next door but one into a “mixed use” development.