Pearl House
Number/street name:
11-15 Bartholomew Street
Address line 2:
City:
Newbury, Berkshire
Postcode:
RG14 5LL
Architect:
Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt
Architect contact number:
020 3909 5750
Developer:
Eden Retirement Living.
Planning Authority:
West Berkshire Council
Planning Reference:
18/01827/FULEXT
Date of Completion:
01/2025
Schedule of Accommodation:
37 x 1 bed homes; 23 x 2 bed homes
Tenure Mix:
100% private leasehold
Total number of homes:
Site size (hectares):
0.33
Net Density (homes per hectare):
181
Size of principal unit (sq m):
53
Smallest Unit (sq m):
52m2
Largest unit (sq m):
105m2
No of parking spaces:
24 spaces
Scheme PDF Download
Planning History
The site was acquired by Eden Retirement Living with an extant consent for development of 47 apartments and commercial retail accommodation. We gained planning consent for 61 independent living apartments (C3) and commercial retail accommodation in June 2018. We submitted a further application to change the scheme to 60 extra care apartments (C2) with associated communal facilities and commercial retail accommodation which received planning consent in January 2019.
The Design Process
The proposals for 11-15 Bartholomew Street include 60 apartments for independent later living together with communal facilities, concierge services, guest accommodation, retail units and car parking.
The 5,693m² building is designed as a series of 3 and 4-storey blocks arranged in a C shape and centred around a split level landscaped courtyard. Overlooking the main garden is the residents’ lounge, arts and crafts studio, and fitness suite. On the upper courtyard level, raised planters are used to define communal garden areas and private patio spaces.
A simple material palette of red brick and bronze is enriched by a variety of textures and details including brick frames, smooth light bronze panels and recessed balconies. Inspiration has been drawn from the neighbouring 19th Century Georgian buildings and courtyard spaces. The final design creates a contemporary scheme that responds sensitively to the local context and provides an attractive backdrop for the Grade I listed St Nicholas Church.
The scheme will regenerate an underutilised site to provide additional amenities for the community and contemporary, aspirational homes for later living. The apartment interiors have been designed to be fully accessible for wheelchair users. Kitchen units have generous room between the units for ease of wheelchair movement and bathrooms have level access.
Key Features
Contemporary design sympathetic to the Newbury Town Centre Conservation area.
Urban town centre location.
Scheme designed around a central courtyard to provide generous internal and external communal amenity.
Scheme designed to promote interaction between residents.
Apartment interiors designed to be fully accessible for wheelchair users.
