Final three bid for town's revamp

Newbury is to undergo a major redevelopment

The final three developers to draw up plans to breathe new life into a Berkshire town centre have been chosen.

London and Amsterdam Developments Ltd, Standard Life Investments and Slough Estates Plc are bidding to develop the Park Way site in the heart of Newbury.

They were picked from 14 bids to revamp the 2.3-hectare (5.7-acre) site with a department store, shops and homes.

The three now have until October to put together detailed plans, before the winner is chosen in December.

The site has been earmarked by West Berkshire Council for development as part of its Newbury 2025 planning strategy.

Nick Carter, the council's corporate director for strategy and commissioning, said: "A vibrant and attractive town centre is essential for the town's future and key to our Newbury 2025 vision.

"As well as bringing new facilities to the town, an essential part of the brief has been to create strong links to the rest of the town and provide high quality buildings that fit in with our historic town centre."