Newbury is bracing itself for years of road closures and traffic changes as preparations begin to build more than a thousand homes at Sandleford.
Newbury is gearing up for years of road closures and traffic changes as work starts on over a thousand homes at Sandleford.
Monks Lane will be the first affected, facing months of closure in the new year for construction vehicles. A new three-arm roundabout will also be built about 260 metres west of the Monks Lane and Rupert Road junction.
While no set date is confirmed, construction is expected to kick off in 2026, with developers Bloor Homes anticipating infrastructure work to begin in 2025/26.
Sandleford Park East will have two access points from Monks Lane, approved in the outline planning permission. Plans also include a future link to Sandleford Park West, allowing both sites to connect.
In May 2022, outline permission was granted for up to 1,080 homes and supporting infrastructure. This includes 80 extra care housing spaces, a new primary school, local commercial space, a country park, and improved cycling and walking routes.
Bloor estimates the final number of homes will be less than 1,080 after conducting necessary surveys and ensuring buffers for sensitive areas like ancient woodlands.
Key milestones include transferring the primary school land to the council after the 100th house is occupied, and land for Park House School after the 200th house.
Additionally, another development will bring 360 new homes to land known from the children’s book Watership Down, despite facing over 100 objections. Details on the start of pre-construction works remain unclear.
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
