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NEWS & VIEWS

General Election: Views from the Valley

Theresa May's announcement that she will seek to hold a General Election on June 8 has given rise to optimism among our Voices of the Valley. Those able to respond to the announcement before our Thames Tap newsletter is published, gave the news a cautious welcome but there were warnings too. David Murray-Cox, associate director at Turley said: "This year had been heralded as a year of change in the planning world.  In the short term we see a decision to hold a General Election as potentially

MyWorkSpot set for Maidenhead launch

MyWorkSpot launches in Maidenhead in May and is offering tours of its co-working space. After seven months of ‘meet-ups’, former CBRE marketing director David Johnston plans to open the new space at 85 King Street next month, aimed at local freelancers, corporate commuters, and start-ups in need of flexible hot-desk and meeting space. Mr Johnston said he can also cater for more established businesses looking for permanent fixed desk, private office options, meeting rooms or event space. There

458 homes approved at Abingdon

Plans for 458 new homes on land at Milton Hill, Abingdon have been approved by Vale of White Horse District Council. The development by Aylesbury-based Buchanan (H) Ltd (on behalf of the Hartwright Family) is planned for 24 hectares of agricultural and equestrian land to the south of Milton Heights. As well as a mix of homes of up to five bedrooms there is land allocated for the expansion of a nearby primary school, upgrading a pavilion for Milton United Football Club and the upgrading of a

Nokia takes 33,000 sq ft at Arlington

Nokia has taken 33,000 sq ft of offices at Arlington Business Park in Theale. The mobile phone maker will move into part of the 45,000 sq ft Hive 1, one of three buildings making up the Hive Campus at the park. Ben Ryan, senior asset manager at owners Praxis, told Property Week: “The strategic location of the campus combined with the very high specification, made this a great fit for Nokia. “The letting underpins our core philosophy that if you have the best location and specification, and

Guildford planning committee to lose eight members

The planning committee at Guildford Borough Council is to be reduced from 23 to 15 members. It means there is no longer a one ward, one councillor representation. The subject was debated at length at the April 12 meeting of the council. The plan is for a 12-month trial of the smaller committee. The committee is currently one of the largest planning committees in the country. In moving the motion, leader of the council Cllr Paul Spooner said he understood why people wanted that profile to

BDO, HSBC and Pret A Manger sign up for Thames Tower

Three occupiers have signed up to take space in Reading’s Thames Tower. Accountants BDO, HSBC bank and sandwich and coffee bar Pret A Manger have all signed deals. BDO has taken the entire 14,040 sq ft 12th floor on a 10-year lease and will move its 100 staff from Kings Wharf in May. HSBC has agreed to take 9,500 sq ft on the 7th floor on a 15-year lease and will move its Thames Valley Corporate Banking division from Apex Plaza. Pret A Manger is taking a 2,500 sq ft A3 retail unit on the

Heathrow goes in search of suppliers

Heathrow airport is inviting businesses and suppliers who want to get involved in creating the third runway to be part of a new procurement programme. The Heathrow Expansion Procurement Approach has been designed to set out how the airport will engage with those looking to be part of its supply chain as work on the project progresses. There is also a programme of Business Summits which the airport describes as ‘speed-dating sessions from Cornwall to Scotland which give businesses access to the

Housing plan for Cox & Wyman site

Proposals for housing are being drawn up for the former Cox & Wyman site in Cardiff Road, Reading. The former print and publishing works closed in 2015 and has been used in recent times by Kept Set Logistics to store film props and scenery. Now local Abbey Ward councillors Tony Page and Bet Tickner have met with the Bell Tower Community Association and explained that a proposal for around 90 homes is being planned. The developer is believed to be Thames Properties. Under the proposals

New science block planned at Lord Wandsworth College

Plans are being worked up for a 2,500 sq m ‘science facility’ at Lord Wandsworth College in Long Sutton, Hampshire.   The boarding school for boy and girls aged 11 – 18 has requested a screening opinion from Hart District Council to ask if an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is needed for the development.   Planning consultancy West Waddy has made the screening request ahead of the proposed planning application. The scheme proposes the new science building to the north of the current

Plans for 108 homes in Sandhurst recommended for approval

An application by Bloor Homes to build 108 properties in Sandhurst goes before councillors on April 20 with a recommendation for approval. The housebuilders want to demolish 96 and 98 High Street for access, and to build the new homes on two neighbouring parcels of land; one, behind where the two houses currently stand, and one to the west of Alford Close. Twenty five per cent of the mix of 21 one and two bedroom flats and 77 three and four bedroom homes will be affordable. The proposed