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Berkshire Updates

Economic development company proposed to promote Windsor

07/23/2018

An economic development company for Windsor could be set up to help the town make the most of its heritage. Guests at last week’s Windsor2030 Forum heard the town’s two chambers of commerce could be combined to form Windsor UK, a unified voice to help improve both its environment and its economy. The meeting heard how Windsor should not become a prisoner of its history and should capture its heritage to use as a base to promote a plan for the future. Setting up Windsor UK was one of four
Proposed railway would link Heathrow with Gatwick

07/20/2018

Those behind an ambitious rail link proposal that would include a link between Heathrow and Gatwick airports have published new images of their scheme. HS4Air, a new high-speed railway around London will be submitted to the Department for Transport in response to a call for rail proposals. It has been developed by London-based Expedition Engineering, together with architects, Weston Williamson + Partners and planning and development consultants and Thames Tap partners, Turley. The £10 billion
Iceland ready to take Argos unit

07/19/2018

Broad Street Mall’s plans to divide up the former Argos store into five units for a mix of retail and leisure have been approved. Permission for the units in Oxford Road, Reading, will now allow frozen food retailer Iceland to move from its Weldale Street store to the ground floor of the former Argos shop. The plans went through at the July 18 meeting of Reading Borough Council's planning applications committee. Cllr Tony Page, lead member for strategic environment, planning and transport
Revised urban market scheme rejected

07/19/2018

Revised designs for the urban market planned for the Reading’s Broad Street Mall have been thrown out by council planners. Reading Borough Council’s planning applications committee decided the latest version of the shipping container market, a more enclosed concept than the previously consented version, was unsuitable. Police had also raised concerns about the market as a drinking venue. Both Cllr Karen Rowland and Cllr Tony Page spoke ruefully about having to oppose the new scheme, saying it
Mixed-use scheme approved for Reading's Bristol & West arcade

07/19/2018

Plans by Sonic Star Properties to redevelop Reading’s Bristol & West Arcade for a mix of shops, offices, a pub and 43 flats have been approved. Reading Borough Council’s planning applications committee approved the developer’s two applications for the site although a number of councillors opposed the plans on heritage grounds. The scheme involves demolition of the arcade on Friar Street for an eight-storey building plus basement which has 35 flats, 4,208 sq m of B1 (business) offices and five
Go-ahead for £14m Bulmershe Leisure Centre

07/19/2018

Permission has been granted for the £14 million redevelopment of Bulmershe Leisure Centre in Woodley. Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee approved the wholesale redevelopment of the Woodlands Avenue centre, next to Bulmershe School, on July 17. Demolition of the existing 1970s structure is due to start within weeks so it can take place during school holidays. The new building will include a six-lane 25m swimming pool with movable floor, a 75-unit gym, a four-court sports hall, a new
Consultations begin over two major Reading schemes

07/18/2018

Two public consultations have been launched over major schemes in Reading. The draft document about Hosier Street regeneration is live from Friday, July 20 at http://www.reading.gov.uk/hosier_street Hard copies of the document - the Draft Hosier Street Area Development Framework - are also available to view at the Central Library and the Reading Borough Council offices in Bridge Street. In addition, public exhibitions will be held in the Hexagon Theatre foyer where council officers will be on
The Blade unveils new business lounge

07/18/2018

A new space has been created at The Blade in Reading which has turned its reception area into a modern business lounge with wi-fi and free coffee. Owner Northwood Investments has created the new 2,500 sq ft lounge so that occupiers can hold meetings, work collaboratively or give their visitors a better experience while they wait. The ground floor space, previously used by Kaplan, which has re-jigged its offices, is now open to all those in the 110,000 sq ft building. Northwood asset
Congestion charge could fund third Thames bridge

07/17/2018

Congestion charging or a workplace parking levy (WPL) in Reading could help fund a third Thames bridge. Councillors on Reading Borough Council’s policy committee agreed on Monday, July 16, to look into implementing one or more of four options to tackle congestion and air quality issues - and a system is likely to be in place in just over two years. The options are: * A WPL similar to that operating in Nottingham * A clean air zone/low emission zone (LEZ) * Road charging * A package of measures
Developer to challenge Beaufort Park refusal

07/16/2018

Councillors’ refusal to approve demolition of an energy-efficient building in Crowthorne which has never been occupied, is to be challenged. JPP Land and Hodge Developments’ plan to bulldoze £18 million Beaufort Park and replace it with 68 homes, was refused by Bracknell Forest Council in April. The 50,000 sq ft building, set in eight acres within 56 acres of protected heathland, was completed in 2009 but no occupier was ever found for it. BSRIA (Building Services Research and Information
Chance to steer Windsor's future

07/16/2018

Anyone who can add to the commercial life of Windsor is asked to attend a meeting this week to help shape the town’s future. The Windsor2030 steering group is looking for anyone who can bring skills which can add to the town’s global reputation, following the attention it enjoyed from the royal wedding in May. Windsor2030 has a vision to create what it calls a five-star experience for those who use its shops and other businesses; enhance and preserve its heritage and support its economic
Gas holder site set for 130 homes

07/12/2018

Plans for around 130 homes on the site of Reading’s last remaining gas holder went to public consultation on Monday, July 9. Boyer Planning held the event which attracted around 20 members of the public, on behalf of SGN, owners of the riverside site, and developer Danescroft. ColladoCollins is the architect. Remedial work will be needed because of contamination on the triangular site at the end of Kenavon Drive. It sits between the River Kennet and the railway line. An SGN depot currently
Systra steers direction of transport debate

07/11/2018

The future look of towns and cities was discussed in front of more than 200 transport professionals at the annual Transport Practitioners’ Meeting in Oxford this month. Thames Tap partner Systra was sponsor of the event and its sector director Annette Smith, from the Thames Valley office in Reading, chaired sessions on Healthy Streets and Active Travel at the two-day conference on July 5 and 6. How people will travel and in what vehicles, was up for debate along with the influence of
Consultation for replacing two apartment blocks in Slough

07/11/2018

Public consultation will take place on Tuesday (July 17) over plans for new homes on the sites of two apartment blocks in Slough. Slough Borough Council is to ask residents for views on the redevelopment of the site of Tower House and Ashbourne House on Chalvey Park. A mix of one, two and three bedroom homes, along with mews houses, is likely. Initial plans were for 195 properties although that may change. The scheme will offer social and affordable housing as well as shared ownership
New bid for East Reading MRT

07/11/2018

A revised planning application is being drawn up for the East Reading mass rapid transit (MRT) scheme after it was blocked by councillors in Wokingham. The MRT which would go from Reading station, along King’s Meadow Road and Napier Road and continue over Kennetmouth between the Thames and the Great Western mainline, before connecting with Thames Valley park & ride, will now have to go before planning committees on both councils again. The scheme, which goes into both Reading and Wokingham
Reading considers Abbey Quarter BID

07/10/2018

A second business improvement district (BID) could be on the cards for Reading. Reading UK, which operates the existing town centre BID is gauging interest for an Abbey Quarter BID, covering the area which will take in King's Rd to Kennet St, Queens Rd (North), Watlington St, Highbridge Wharf, Crane Wharf, Kenavon Drive, The Forbury, Forbury Rd, Abbey St and Abbey Square. The aim of the new BID would be to bring about improvements such as to public realm, place marketing, waterways and to
127 homes planned for Water Oakley

07/10/2018

A development of 127 homes on land between Maidenhead and Windsor has been submitted to the Royal Borough. The 9.78-acre Thameside site at Water Oakley is close to both Dorney Lake and Bray Studios. Developer Farmglade plans a mix of homes and says measures are being taken to meet the Royal Borough’s requirement for 30 per cent affordable. Several buildings would require demolition and access to the new scheme would be off Windsor Road. The site, which is in the Green Belt, already has
Slough aims to be region's capital

07/09/2018

Investment of £4 billion, massive improvements to transport and a town-wide drive to support skills could help make Slough the capital of the Thames Valley. That concept was unveiled to almost 100 business people and property professionals at the first Slough Social event, held at The Future Works building on Friday, July 6. But the remarkable ambitions came with the strong urge that businesses must keep up their lobbying so that the town gets the improvements it needs. Slough Social, a new
Council support for prison theatre plan

07/06/2018

The arts group determined to create a cultural hub at Reading Gaol has praised the council for its support for its Vision of Opportunities. Theatre & Arts Reading (TAR) unveiled the vision in May and Reading Borough Council officers have now endorsed the scheme in a report to go before the policy committee on July 16. The committee will also consider setting up a charitable company with a number of partners to run the prison site. TAR chairman Melvin Benn said: ‘We are delighted officers are
Hotels and flats approved at Slough library site

07/06/2018

The two Marriott hotels, 64 flats and some retail on the former Slough library site have been approved by councillors. Slough Urban Renewal’s (SUR) scheme, directly opposite The Curve, includes a lifestyle brand Moxy and a Residence Inn, designed for extended stays. Together they will provide 244 rooms and work will start in early 2019 with completion likely near the end of 2020. The vibrant Moxy hotel will have a contemporary bar, dining area and lounge that will be open to the public. The

Berkshire Updates

Economic development company proposed to promote Windsor

Proposed railway would link Heathrow with Gatwick

Iceland ready to take Argos unit

Revised urban market scheme rejected

Mixed-use scheme approved for Reading's Bristol & West arcade

Go-ahead for £14m Bulmershe Leisure Centre

Consultations begin over two major Reading schemes

The Blade unveils new business lounge

Congestion charge could fund third Thames bridge

Developer to challenge Beaufort Park refusal

Chance to steer Windsor's future

Gas holder site set for 130 homes

Systra steers direction of transport debate

Consultation for replacing two apartment blocks in Slough

New bid for East Reading MRT

Reading considers Abbey Quarter BID

127 homes planned for Water Oakley

Slough aims to be region's capital

Council support for prison theatre plan

Hotels and flats approved at Slough library site