West Berkshire Council has granted planning permission for the major redevelopment of Newbury Racecourse.

The board of the racecourse - together with joint venture partner David Wilson Homes - is planning to create up to 1,500 homes, a 120-bed hotel, and an upgraded racecourse with new leisure, racing, conference and events facilities. Access to the racecourse will be improved via a new bridge which already has planning approval. The application is now being referred to the Government Office for the South East (GOSE), with a decision expected within six weeks.

Sir David Sieff, chair of Newbury Racecourse, said: "This is a positive and important step forward in pursuit of our strategy to develop and transform the site into a leisure, entertainment and events business with the racecourse as its core asset. "The planned redevelopment is expected to support and enhance the long term trading operations of Newbury Racecourse and to have a positive effect on Newbury's local community and economy."