NEWS

News

The latest property stories coming out of the Thames Valley

07/26/2018

Reading Gaol issue raised in the House of Commons

Plans to create an arts hub at the Reading Gaol site have been raised in the House of Commons. Reading East MP Matt Rodda raised the issue of Theatre & Arts Reading’s (TAR) efforts to create a thriving cultural centre at the empty building with the justice secretary, David Gauke, on Tuesday, July 24, and has raised it with and prisons minister, Rory Stewart. Mr Rodda said: “Arguably our best-known building is Reading Gaol. I argue that because of its cultural and artistic significance, the
07/26/2018

Four appeals fail in South Oxfordshire

Two planning applications for a total of 215 homes in South Oxfordshire have been dismissed at appeal. And two further appeals in the district – one for 59 homes and one for a 106-bed retirement village – have been withdrawn. Gallagher Estates’ proposal for up to 95 homes in Kennylands Road, Sonning Common had been refused by South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) for reasons including harm to the countryside. The planning inspector backed the council’s refusal. In the appeal by Mr RJ & S
07/25/2018

West Berks doubles investment in commercial property

Councillors in West Berkshire have agreed to double the amount they are investing in commercial property to £100 million. The money will be borrowed but the authority expects to double its current net annual income from property investments to £2m from 2021/22 onwards. A limit of £15m per transaction will be in force along with a number of other and sectors the council will continue to invest in include industrial, retail and offices. Of the initial £50m allocated for property investments
07/25/2018

Royal Borough appoints partner for Maidenhead Golf Club

The Royal Borough’s has chosen Cala Homes as joint venture partner for the Maidenhead Golf Club site. The site is destined for more than 2,000 homes, 30 per cent of them affordable, as well as a new primary and secondary school, public open space, community hub and supporting infrastructure. Cala was chosen from a shortlist of three. The others were Crest Nicholson and Taylor Wimpey. Cllr David Evans, cabinet member for Maidenhead who is overseeing its regeneration, said: “We are delighted
07/25/2018

Four lettings announced at Arlington

Four new occupiers have taken a total of 27,313 sq ft at Arlington Business Park. The 48-acres owned by Patron Capital and APAM, is now home to Kier, Panaya, Nutanix and Willis Towers Watson. All have taken space in Building 1410 leaving only the its top floor still available. The building has a café/lounge and a gym and is adjacent to the new floating pavilion, part of a major investment programme which will also bring 50,000 sq ft of refurbished space to the market later this year. Ben
07/24/2018

Record demand drives 17 per cent rental growth in Oxford

Prime office rents in central Oxford have grown by 16.7 per cent in a year thanks to record levels of demand. Research by property consultants Bidwells puts the spiraling figures down to ‘voracious’ demand from university spin outs. The firm’s twice-yearly look at the county-wide office market highlights an unsatisfied demand for space in Oxford city centre. Rents hit £35 per sq ft in the first half of 2018. There is currently 1.2m sq ft of requirements from 68 registered occupiers. Oxford
07/23/2018

View from the riverbank: Outside the box

Few developments proposed for Reading town centre have attracted the level of public approval the Broad Street Mall's urban market plan achieved. Not since the days when an indoor market known as Traders, just off the Harris Arcade, was lost to developers in the 1980s, have so many been optimistic that independent retailers would finally be welcomed into a town which, in recent decades, has moved further into clone town status. The usual cynicism of online forums was, for a time, replaced by
07/23/2018

Economic development company proposed to promote Windsor

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

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Independent Property
NEWS & VIEWS

Reporting daily from the Thames Valley tvproperty.co.uk

News

Reading Gaol issue raised in the House of Commons

Four appeals fail in South Oxfordshire

West Berks doubles investment in commercial property

Royal Borough appoints partner for Maidenhead Golf Club

Four lettings announced at Arlington

Record demand drives 17 per cent rental growth in Oxford

View from the riverbank: Outside the box

Economic development company proposed to promote Windsor